Total-Motorsport.com provides a comprehensive analysis of what to expect from McLaren in the upcoming 2024 Formula 1 season.
In 2023, McLaren made significant progress and consistently challenged Red Bull in the latter part of the season, with Lando Norris securing four consecutive podium finishes. Norris, who recently signed a long-term contract extension, will continue to be a formidable force alongside Oscar Piastri in his second season with the team.
Under the leadership of Andrea Stella, McLaren has made two key technical signings for 2024, bringing in Rob Marshall from Red Bull and David Sanchez from Ferrari. These additions will undoubtedly strengthen the team’s capabilities.
Total-Motorsport.com has assembled a team of journalists, including Adam Dickinson, Jasmine Hughes, Joe Krishnan, Ed Spencer, and Brandon Sutton, to provide their insights on McLaren’s prospects for the upcoming season.
Zak Brown’s assertion that Norris and Piastri are the most exciting driver pairing in F1 initially seemed exaggerated, but their impressive performance in 2023 has convinced me otherwise. While the team’s upgrades certainly played a role in their success, it would be unfair to attribute their podium finishes solely to these improvements. Norris is a fearless driver known for his daring maneuvers, while Piastri demonstrates remarkable composure behind the wheel, even outperforming Max Verstappen in a sprint race.
It is only a matter of time before Norris secures his first Formula 1 victory, and I believe 2024 will be the year he achieves this milestone. Piastri’s strong performance will undoubtedly give Norris a run for his money, positioning McLaren favorably in their pursuit to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari for a top three spot in the constructors’ championship.
However, McLaren cannot afford a repeat of their poor start to the previous season, where they finished outside the top 15 in the first two races. A strong start in Bahrain will be crucial for the team’s success. If McLaren can maintain their momentum from last season, they have the potential to have a competitive year and potentially surpass their fourth-place finish in the constructors’ championship.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, McLaren is in a promising position with a solid foundation to build upon. Overcoming their early-season struggles in 2023, McLaren emerged as one of the stronger teams on the grid, securing nine podium finishes. With a talented driver pairing in Piastri and Norris, McLaren is well-positioned to compete at the front of the grid, challenging Ferrari and Mercedes for the best of the rest status.
Given McLaren’s partnership with Mercedes in terms of power units, the battle between these two teams is expected to be closely contested. If McLaren can carry their strong momentum from last season into 2024, they have the potential for a competitive year, especially as Norris continues to pursue his first Formula 1 win.
While McLaren’s performance in 2024 remains uncertain, they have the potential to surprise. With Norris and Piastri forming a top-tier driver lineup, McLaren can expect to have a close battle with Mercedes. However, both Mercedes and Ferrari are likely to have made significant improvements, which may prevent McLaren from securing a podium finish in the constructors’ championship.
Led by Norris and Piastri, McLaren boasts one of the strongest driver line-ups on the grid, ensuring a consistent flow of points throughout the season. The team’s expertise in car development was evident in their performance at the Austrian Grand Prix, where they emerged as the second or third-best car for the remainder of the 2023 season. McLaren excels in high-speed corners, as demonstrated in the Japanese and British Grands Prix. While they may have slightly too much downforce, this is a preferable situation.
If McLaren can close the gap to Red Bull by a few tenths, they may even challenge for race wins, provided their star drivers can secure strong qualifying positions to put pressure on Max Verstappen. Norris has proven his ability to win races, despite the absence of a victory thus far. However, McLaren may still struggle against Mercedes and Ferrari due to their issues with drag and low-speed corners, as well as the stronger driver line-ups of their rivals. As a result, McLaren is likely to finish a narrow fourth in the constructors’ championship.
Last year, McLaren faced a challenging start to the season after a disappointing pre-season testing in Bahrain, where they encountered speed and reliability issues. However, armed with an impressive upgrade package, McLaren quickly climbed up the constructors’ championship table, ultimately finishing fourth.
The exceptional work done by Andrea Stella thus far must continue, with McLaren aiming to challenge Red Bull for race victories. Norris is inching closer to his long-awaited first F1 win, having demonstrated his ability to compete with the best drivers on multiple occasions in 2023. Piastri, entering his second year, is showing great promise and is expected to perform even better with a full season of experience under his belt.
In conclusion, McLaren has the potential to secure a second-place finish in the constructors’ championship. With a strong driver pairing, consistent point-scoring ability, and a proven track record in car development, McLaren is well-positioned for a successful 2024 season.
According to the Source total-motorsport.com