McLaren has a rich and mysterious history in Formula 1. The 2024 season began with McLaren in a fierce battle against Aston Martin and Mercedes. However, Ferrari seemed to have the upper hand in the first few races. In order to bridge this gap and compete with their rivals, the Woking-based team has decided to introduce upgrades during the Miami Grand Prix. They believe that these upgrades will significantly improve the performance of the MCL60.
For the past two seasons, McLaren has been stuck in a cycle where they start the season with a slow car and then make improvements halfway through. To break this cycle and make a push for second place in the championship, the English team is introducing upgrades in Miami. Team principal Andrea Stella is optimistic that these upgrades will propel the MCL60 higher up the grid.
Stella cautiously expressed his optimism, stating that the upgrade package is not as extensive as last year’s upgrades in Austria and Singapore. However, he believes that it is a step in the right direction and will bring noticeable improvements to the MCL60. This could potentially change the perception of the team and provide both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri with the opportunity to secure their first win.
Andrea Stella, who has had a long career in Formula 1, joined McLaren in 2015. He initially took on operational responsibilities and has since risen through the ranks. When his predecessor left the team for Sauber, Stella seized the opportunity and McLaren has not regretted it due to their recent successes.
Impressed by the progress, the team is satisfied with Stella’s leadership. The American team owner believes that Stella has played a crucial role in McLaren’s progress. He sees Stella as a leader within the team and believes that his restructuring decisions have brought clarity to their operations.
Despite the positive atmosphere within McLaren, other teams will also be introducing their own upgrades in Miami or Imola. This could potentially negate any advantage McLaren has. However, the team remains confident in their ability to challenge Ferrari, as demonstrated in China. Therefore, the battle for second place in the constructors’ championship is wide open for any team.