After a dramatic 2023 F1 season, in which the Woking-based team finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren is hoping for improvement with their newly revealed 2024 challenger, the MCL38. The previous season started poorly for the British team, with only 17 points after the first eight races. However, upgrades made to the MCL60 from the Austrian Grand Prix onwards propelled McLaren up the rankings, making them regular contenders for podium finishes in the second half of the year. They managed to outperform Aston Martin and secure fourth place, although their performance declined towards the end of the season.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s teammate, made a strong impression in his first year in Formula 1, achieving victory in a Sprint race during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend. Lando Norris, on the other hand, finished the season in sixth place in the Drivers’ Standings, earning 205 points and securing nine podium finishes. However, Norris is aiming for more in 2024. Can he achieve his first F1 win and help McLaren challenge Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari for the Constructors’ title?
The 24-year-old will be the first to test the MCL38 on the Silverstone Circuit later today. In McLaren’s launch press release, Norris expressed his excitement about getting behind the wheel of the new car and seeing how it performs. He also praised the car’s livery and emphasized the importance of testing, qualifying, and racing in the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix to truly assess the team’s progress. Norris expressed his gratitude to the hardworking personnel at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking for their efforts in preparing the car for the upcoming season.
Fans and teams will have a better understanding of Norris and McLaren’s true speed when F1 commences pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit from 21-23 February. This will be followed by the opening race of the season, the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, on 2 March.
According to the Source grandprix247.com