F1 – McLaren second team in China, “base” faster than Ferrari SF-24

Amazing thing McLaren he managed to enter the stage Chinese GP 2024. The Woking team took second place thanks to a good result Lando Norristo be able to continue with Red Bull Of Perez in the last part of the race, leaving Mexico behind and getting a place of honor behind the regular and incompetent player. Max Verstappeneven the biggest yesterday with his RB20.

However the weekend from McLaren he started with more desire than what happened Shanghai: drivers were accepted in the days before the first and only free practices such as MCL38 It was not suitable for the characteristics of the circuit, and also considering the lack of important updates (apparently the first step a Miamied.), everything was expected under such a performance.

It took less than you can imagine: after Sprint Racewhich ended badly due to the start of disaster together Hamilton, Norris he made several changes to his car, making it perform better, kinder to the tires and more stable in terms of aerodynamics. Probably also helped by the low temperature Shanghaiand let’s say also, from one Ferrari not that day, the Englishman had less difficulty than expected in putting together a good performance.

McLaren: Norris on the podium thanks to changes after the Sprint

Already since Friday, the McLaren gave a very respectable performance: Norris took the top spot in qualifying gunshots wet, those who decide starting line-up of Sprint Race, so to speak (yes we know, it’s a mess, but we can’t do anything about it). Perhaps Saturday’s mini race would have gone better if he had started in front of everyone, but the Englishman did not consider the desire to avenge the terrible Lewis Hamilton who could not wait to be in front of everyone, even. if only for ten cycles.

Disappointed inside Norris it was completely understandable, and maybe some changes to his car would help him with the qualities, the real ones, and for Mrs Award played yesterday morning. In fact, things went like this, and there McLaren by far it was the second force on the track Chinesestronger than one Ferrari that, especially and difficultcouldn’t get it to work SF-24.

However, this was still a pleasant surprise Landowho did not expect such a race: the British driver thinks that the cold and small changes made to him MCL38 they have made changes. Better tire management and better racing speed, enough to block Perez hook for second place. Even more than Melbournewhere he managed to finish third but behind Ferrariyesterday was Norris’ best performance in 2024.

McLaren: Piastri released by Ricciardo (due to Stroll)

Not everything went well for him McLarenbecause on the other side of the box there is a great desire to Oscar Plateeighth at the finish line also due to extensive damage to him MCL38 caused by an accident between Take a walk e Ricciardo after restarting from the first Security Car. The pilot ofAston Martin he collided with the Australian in a strange manner, who in turn hit Oscar on the back.

It must be said that until then, the boy’s race was interesting, but due to the difficulty of Ferrariperhaps he could have wished for something more, without compromising that fact Norris he got that performance because of his symptoms, and we don’t know if Plate whether or not he imitated what his more experienced colleague did.

The truth is that the Australian’s season, so far, has not been exciting, except for that defense Hamilton a Jeddah in bad tire conditions and that made him take fourth place in the end. After that there is nothing, or almost nothing. In short, we have to work technically and mentally to get back in better shape than ever from the next challenge, that of Miami. The talent is there, no doubt, but something is missing.

McLaren and Ferrari: subtle differences in China

It was interesting to compare the performance of McLaren and that of Ferrari. Both cars are excellent without development, except for some minor adjustments from track to track, but nothing significant. However, yesterday there was noise the need to post the first actual updates of the season on the SF-24. In fact the complete lack of race speed on the hard tires was the basis of the semi-debacle Scuderia Of Maranello in Chinese.

It’s true, we’re back Shanghai after a long time, it was cold and everything else, but the conditions were the same for everyone, so this is a discussion that is impossible to hold. Instead, the problem of the red car is long-standing, and yesterday it was highlighted. Updates will hopefully lead to improvements from that point of view, but before Imola we won’t have a clear picture, and a clock Miami it is true that the first part of these updates will arrive, but to judge them we will have to wait for the complete package at the end of the week on the edge of Santerno, among other things without Sprint Racewhich instead we will find again inside Florida.

In turn, McLaren “core” ran the best race of his season just yesterday, creating a disappointing situation Suzukawhile we all believed in one person MCL38 Competition for the platform, then the business Red Bull e Ferrari with a checkered flag. The the team Of To work it works quickly and tirelessly to bring a Miami the first real update of the season, even on this feature, Norris he went there cautiously.

“I believe the Miami update will help us – Norris said yesterday -. However, I don’t think we’ll see much of it that race weekend, because we’ll be running on a track with a lot of low-speed corners, and this development isn’t aimed at those qualities. We are still welcoming it, the team is working tirelessly MiamiI’m happy with what they’re doing at the factory.”

The McLaren MCL38 in fact it still suffers from low-speed corners, but the next step of the English team will not take into account this aspect, judging the progress already for Miami inside of the weekend where they should not be shown by the characteristics of the song, moreover with only one hour of free practice available, it will be difficult, if not impossible. So, also about McLarenAny sentencing may be postponed until the weekend Imolais important to many.

Author: Andrea Bovone

Photo: McLaren Media Center