McLaren on “damage restriction” mode in China!

Six months ago, the Woking team’s cars were second fastest at Suzuka, with Norris and Piastri edging out Max Verstappen on the podium. A result they couldn’t produce last weekend.
« Many improvements will not be enough, because Ferrari will have its own tooexplains Andrea Stella, team manager, without lying. That being said, last year, throughout the season, we were able to beat our competitors in terms of development, and the goal is the same. As long as we see what we planned come true on the track, we are satisfied because we know we are on the right track. »
Norris ahead of Sainz and Piastri ahead of Leclerc in qualifying at the Suzuka circuit however set up a close tussle between the McLarens and the Maranello product. Was it the latter who eventually went ahead or the Working who were too conservative in the race?

« Maybe a little of both, improves Italian manager. With a set of soft tires it was possible for us to reduce some of the limitations we currently have, like in the low speed corners. In this case, with a lot of grip, it is possible to compensate for some of the car’s weaknesses. For example, we didn’t waste a lot of time on the hairpin or other slow corners. Unfortunately, with a hard ball, we lose a tenth with each loop. After 10 laps, the tire is second slow, and the weakness of the car is more obvious. » A situation that proved more punishing for the hopeful Australians than the experienced Brits.

Hear the reasoning behind some of our previous radio messages. Pt. 1🎧 #F1Translation pic.twitter.com/f9ryUvXswP

– McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 10, 2024

« When the damage is too great, insists Stella, it takes experience to improve the damage. And if you improve it by 5%, you save a lot of time. The fact remains that Oscar has come a long way since last September, which was his first in Japan. Next week, a new qualifier awaits the native of Melbourne as the Shanghai track will be a big discovery for him, and a small one for many of his rivals who will have to erase their memories a little on the site, the last Chinese Grand Prix having been contested in 2019.

While we wait for Miami…

« It is a return after five years that will not fail to bring some difficulties but it can also provide opportunities because everyone will be in the same boat. Some will no doubt be able to take advantage of that but I am a little cautious about us, he is afraid of the Working man, because there are a lot of low speed corners and a lot of hairpins which is definitely not the best circuit for us at this stage of the season. It will be different once we develop the car, but for now these types of tracks are not ideal for us. There is a good chance that we will have to operate in “damage limitation” mode. Then, from Miami, I hope that we will enter a more comfortable zone. »

This “damage restriction” situation can be reduced by the restrictions on the “Sprint” weekend, the first season of the season. A large part of the performance will depend on the ability of the team to manage the first training session according to the settings. ” Let’s say in an ideal world, gushes the manager, China should not have hosted the Sprint event. »All without China, of course!

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