Janice R. Andrews
McLaren has expressed appreciation for Mercedes’ dominant performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which helped prevent rival Ferrari from making significant inroads into their lead in the constructors’ championship. Despite McLaren’s struggles during the race weekend, Mercedes’ 1-2 finish limited Ferrari’s gains, leaving McLaren with a 24-point cushion heading into the final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
McLaren Faces Challenges in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Grand Prix proved to be a tough outing for McLaren, as drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggled to find competitive pace with their MCL38 cars. Ranked as the fourth-fastest team for the weekend, McLaren faced the risk of Ferrari taking a large bite out of their championship advantage.
Ultimately, Ferrari finished third and fourth, narrowing the gap by 12 points. While McLaren’s lead diminished, team principal Andrea Stella highlighted the importance of Mercedes’ dominance.
“It’s disappointing that we lost 12 points in the championship,” Stella admitted. “But considering how much we struggled this weekend, we really have to thank Mercedes for performing so strongly and locking out P1 and P2. Without them, Ferrari would have been an even greater threat in the constructors’ championship.”
Hope for Qatar and Abu Dhabi
McLaren remains optimistic that the upcoming circuits in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will play to the strengths of their car. The team believes these tracks, with their high-speed layouts, are better suited to the MCL38’s design and will offer improved performance compared to the challenges faced in Las Vegas.
“It’s true, and I’ve said it before, that Qatar and Abu Dhabi should suit the way we’ve designed our car,” Stella said.
However, Stella urged caution, acknowledging the competitiveness of the top teams this season. “The level of performance among the top teams in Formula 1 this year is unprecedented. We head to Qatar expecting better performance, but assuming it will be straightforward would be a mistake.”
Close Battle Among Top Teams
Stella pointed out that this season has seen remarkable competition among the top four teams—Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren. Each has shown the ability to dominate under the right conditions, making every race outcome unpredictable.
“To succeed, we need to maximize the potential of our car,” Stella explained. “Based on the track layouts, we should perform well, but Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes will also arrive in Qatar better prepared after analyzing the Las Vegas weekend.”
A Tense Finish to the Season
The final two races of the 2024 season promise to be high-stakes showdowns, with McLaren focused on maintaining its edge in the constructors’ championship. Stella acknowledged the pressure of the situation.
“It’s a much more interesting finish to the season than I would have liked,” he said. “I always prefer things to be straightforward, but that’s not the case here.”
As the competition tightens, McLaren knows that every point will be vital in their fight to secure their position. With Qatar and Abu Dhabi looming, the team is determined to deliver a flawless performance under intense pressure.
