McLaren

Fiona Mansell

McLaren saw an impressive end to the last F1 season as fans and drivers discovered newfound confidence. But one question remains: could their recent success mark the end of Max Verstappen’s dominance?

Although McLaren had a slow start to the 2023 Formula 1 season after some car upgrades in the summer, they finished strong, securing fourth in the constructors championship. Lando Norris and rookie teammate Oscar Piastri secured nine podiums between them. They showed they could consistently compete at the front of the grid and challenge Red Bull.

A Competitive Car For A Competitive Racer

“Last year allowed the team to set a strong foundation for the future.”

Norris has shown his ability to secure podiums. The talented driver is one of the few drivers capable of challenging three-time world champion Max Verstappen. He was one of the few drivers to consistently get podiums at the end of the 2023 season, securing sixth place in the drivers standings.

Team Principal for McLaren, Andrea Stella, shared with F1 that, “After a busy and productive off-season, [the team] head into 2024 with [their] sights set on continuing [their] journey towards the front of the grid.”

She continued: “Last year allowed the team to set a strong foundation for the future through continued hard work, commitment, effort and talent.”

McLaren has revealed their livery for the upcoming season, the first indicator of their new look for this year. The 2024 challenger will be named the MCL38 and unveiled next week. Next, it’s off to Bahrain for pre-season testing starting February 21st.

However, Norris needs to catch up after 13 career podiums without a win, leaving him at the level of Nick Heidfeld, who left the F1 field in 2011. As he enters his sixth season, will he finally secure that race win?

A Newfound Confidence for McLaren

Norris continues to show his confidence in the team and has since signed a new multi-year contract. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Norris shared that he is “more convinced than ever” that McLaren can help him achieve his dream of becoming a world champion.

Speaking with McLaren, Norris revealed that he chose to extend his contract. He said: “If we want to be World Champions, everyone in their role needs to be one of the best in the world if not the best in the world. I think now more than ever, we have got those people in place.”

The McLaren team also shares this confidence, explaining their new “Whatever It Takes” era for the 2024 season, inspired by the team’s 60-year history. Claiming they will not be written off before they have begun and will do “Whatever It Takes” as a team to win championships.

Following an Impressive Rookie Season

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri showed impressive skill in his rookie season in F1, putting pressure on teammate Norris and even clinching a sprint race win in Qatar. He eventually secured ninth in the driver’s standings after consistently finishing in the top ten and, importantly, in the points.

Will he be able to build upon the talent he’s shown so far, or will he crumble under the pressure?

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Featured image courtesy of Joe McGowan on Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.

Fiona is now undergoing a master's degree in 'Visual Journalism' in Cardiff after recently graduating with first-class honours in 'Performance and Media.' Most of her writing focuses on her passion for motorsport.

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