McLaren expects difficult weekend in China: “It will be a barrier to destruction”

Andrea Stella expects a difficult weekend in China, because the circuit does not suit the car well. So the McLaren team boss is preparing for a race where the damage must be minimal.

The McLaren Formula 1 team has started the current season well. After four races, the British outfit is third in the constructors’ championship behind Ferrari and Red Bull Racing, and has so far been able to hold off Mercedes with relative ease. However, the fact that McLaren is the third team can be somewhat misleading. The race team’s car is very strong on circuits where top speed is of utmost importance, which was the case during the first four races. But on circuits where the car should be good at low speeds, the McLaren is still underpowered.

Shanghai International Circuit

And the Shanghai International Circuit is a circuit made up of lower and middle corners. Team boss Andrea Stelle tempered expectations: “I have to admit that in this first half of the season, China is the circuit that worries me the most in terms of competition,” he was quoted by Motorsprot.com. It’s very fast there and there are hairpins. In the second and third corner you spend too long in the corner.”

ALSO INTERESTING: Hill only sees Verstappen leaving for one reason: “Then Mercedes offers more safety”

Damage control for McLaren

Stella continues: “So far we haven’t been able to improve the car enough in low and medium speed corners. In terms of competition, I expect more difficult conditions than Suzuka, Australia and the first part of the season. China can be a bit of damage control from Miami can start the best part of this 2024 season.”

Related