Despite finishing their 2023 Formula 1 season on a positive note, with their car arguably being the second fastest after Red Bull, McLaren has had a less convincing start to their 2024 campaign.
The team has only achieved one podium finish in the first four races, with Lando Norris securing third place in Melbourne. This race was unique as both Red Bulls were out of contention, with Max Verstappen retiring due to brake troubles and Sergio Perez facing a grid penalty and car damage.
In Suzuka, McLaren’s MCL38 should have performed well due to the track’s fast-flowing first sector. However, Ferrari outperformed them, and Norris couldn’t maintain his third-place position from qualifying.
As McLaren heads to Shanghai this weekend, they are expecting a challenging race. The characteristics of the MCL38 are not well-suited to the Chinese track, and the lack of recent data since the last race in 2019 further complicates their preparations.
The Chinese Grand Prix marks the first Sprint weekend of the 2024 season, which means there will be only one practice session. This presents an additional challenge for the teams to overcome.
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team boss, acknowledged the difficulties they may face in his race preview. He emphasized the need to maximize their efforts during the limited practice session to gather as much data as possible. The unpredictable weather and lack of data for all teams could create both opportunities and challenges.
Despite knowing the areas where they need to improve, McLaren is determined to give their all and aim to be competitive once again this weekend.
Norris stated: “It has been quite some time since we last competed in Shanghai, so I am eagerly anticipating our return. Our previous race presented some challenges, but we were still able to secure additional points. We have taken the opportunity to review our experiences and reset for the upcoming weekend,” reflecting on our performance in Japan. “The Sprint weekend will bring a new level of excitement with its various sessions. Although this may not be an ideal circuit for us, we are fully prepared to give our utmost once again,” concluded the British driver.
Oscar Piastri faces the added challenge of racing at an unfamiliar track this weekend, as he remarked: “I am thrilled to be participating in the Chinese Grand Prix for the first time. The Shanghai International Circuit is completely new to me,” he emphasized. “Given that it is the inaugural Sprint weekend of the season, it will be crucial to maximize the first practice session in order to acquaint myself with the track. While I have simulated the circuit at the MTC, being out on the actual track is a different experience altogether. Hopefully, we can accumulate more points for the team and enjoy a successful weekend,” concluded the Australian driver.