Andrea Stella predicts improved racing with Ferrari / Formula 1

After four races, the standings of the World Championship teams are clear: Red Bull races ahead of Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes. There are currently 51 points between Ferrari and McLaren. However, many think that the fight for second place will be much closer than it currently appears in the numbers.

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella says of the fight with Ferrari for second place: “It will be a race to improve.” What the engineer means: “I think that one level of improvement will not be enough because it will also improve.”

This means that the deciding factor may be who can improve, how often and how much.

The Italian engineer recalls the 2023 season: “Last year we were able to win our competition with our development. We achieved more lap times in one season than our competitors.”

Looking back at the 2023 season: The McLaren was still very disappointing at the start in Bahrain and in the first race of the season. For example, Lando Norris only finished 17th in Bahrain and Jeddah, Baku and Monaco did better – but Papaya’s success came in Austria (fourth place for Norris) and Silverstone (second place for Norris and P4 for Oscar Piastri) . From then on, McLaren was constantly on top.

Although it was known that it was not enough to attack the summit, McLaren made great strides during the season. This development should now be a model for this year.

Stella: “As long as we see that what we bring to the song works, we are satisfied. Because then we know that we are on the right path.

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round

outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0