Former Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard attended the second practice session at Bahrain as a special guest of McLaren. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris (via IMAGO) were also present during the event, adding to the star-studded lineup of celebrities and athletes who frequent Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends. As the teams gear up for the start of the 2024 season, the ex-Liverpool legend was spotted in Bahrain, showing his support for the team.
The renowned Liverpool legend, whose net worth is estimated at $90 million, was seen in McLaren’s garage during the free practice 2 session. Gerrard cheered on as Piastri and Norris secured impressive second and third place finishes in the first practice session. Furthermore, he was spotted holding a McLaren cap, a clear display of his loyalty towards the team.
Woking, the home of McLaren, has not encountered any unexpected challenges with their chassis as they prepare for the qualifying session on Friday. The team remains optimistic about their chances of challenging the front-runners throughout the season and potentially securing race victories. Lando Norris, in particular, has his sights set on his first Formula 1 win following Piastri’s triumph in a sprint race in 2023. With a strong lineup of drivers, McLaren promises an exhilarating season for fans. Steven Gerrard surely hoped for a successful weekend for the team.
McLaren was unable to secure a single race victory in 2023, largely due to Red Bull’s dominance. However, Piastri managed to claim a sprint race victory during the season. The 2024 MCL38 has demonstrated impressive speed, especially on the soft compound tires. Additionally, the team has dismissed any suggestions that their chassis is similar to Red Bull’s RB20.
McLaren proved last year that they are capable of competing with Red Bull, mounting a remarkable comeback throughout the season. Therefore, the 2024 season is expected to be no different, with McLaren applying the lessons learned from previous years. The team is confident in their developed challenger and the lap times set by their drivers.
As a result, the 2024 campaign holds great promise for McLaren. However, given Red Bull’s dominant performance this season, it is likely that they will clinch the championship. McLaren will need to temper their championship aspirations for this season. Nevertheless, the team aims to secure multiple victories in the 2024 Formula 1 season. Perhaps Steven Gerrard will witness a strong performance from the McLaren drivers in the upcoming race.