McLaren had a successful outing at the Albert Park F1 circuit, with Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz leading the charge. The team has made significant improvements compared to the previous season, consistently earning valuable points in all three races thus far. The Australian GP was particularly noteworthy, as Norris secured the season’s first podium with a third-place finish, while Sainz followed closely behind. Despite finishing behind Ferrari in Melbourne, Norris believes that McLaren’s MCL38 is a slightly superior package to the Italian outfit’s SF-24.
Norris is pleased with the team’s progress this season, especially considering their lackluster performance in the first half of the previous competition. McLaren struggled to score points early on but gained momentum in the second half, ultimately finishing fourth in the 2023 constructors championship. However, Norris acknowledges that there is still room for improvement with the MCL38.
One area where McLaren has historically struggled is with low speed. During the winter break, the team dedicated significant effort to address this weakness and make necessary changes to the MCL38. However, there are still aspects that require further attention. In terms of pace, the MCL38 falls short compared to Ferrari, as demonstrated at the Australian Grand Prix.
Unlike in 2023, the Japanese GP is scheduled to take place in April this year, rather than September. McLaren achieved a double podium at Suzuka last year, finishing in second and third place. However, it may prove challenging for them to replicate this success, as Ferrari is strengthening their position. The unique characteristics of the Suzuka circuit have traditionally favored McLaren, but the competition from Ferrari’s SF-24 will present a formidable obstacle. Nevertheless, in the unpredictable world of F1, there is always a chance that luck could favor McLaren, allowing them to secure another double podium at the Japanese GP.