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Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren says that the team are finally "on the road to recovery". They are the second most successful team in Formula 1, and they have had a better start to their season than in the past few years. However, they have still not had a victory since the 2012 Brazillian Grand Prix.
McLaren are currently 4th place in the constructors' championship, having brought in two new drivers for 2019 and for the first time since 2007. Carlos Sainz Jr was recruited from Renault, and rookie Lando Norris promoted from the role of reserve. The team also shed various staff over the winter and Brown acknowledges that they still have a long way to go.
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"I think the team's done an excellent job over the winter. And that's everybody. Clearly, we've built a better race car this year, the drivers are doing an excellent job, we're pleased with the driver line up."
"So it feels like we're starting the journey to recovery. Last year we were talking more about the start of the road to recovery but by the end of the year felt like we were less competitive than the start of the year, where now it feels like we've started in a more competitive situation."
McLaren has scored 18 points in the four races compared to 173 for Mercedes, so it is clear the British team still have a huge amount of ground to make up. Brown finished by saying: "Still a long way to go, but pleased with all the hard work everyone's doing."
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
Replies (4)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Easy, cowboy, the season isn't over yet, and there is still ample time for Renault to pull a "ran out of spare parts" on them still. But it does look a lot better for them this season.
Kean
Posts: 692
How about this scenario: by 2021 McLaren is the Renault works team. The Enstone team is sold to Mazepin or some such, and Renault reverts to being a PU supplier. All thanks to Abiteboul's inability.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
That could very well be a thing. Renault isn't among the more enduring manufacturers, and currently it is clear things are mismanaged over there. The fact they'd willingly let Vasseur go, one of the more likable and skilled people in F1, show things are rotten, and just Abiteboul...shit... there. ;)
Kean
Posts: 692
Yup, letting Vasseur go and keeping Abiteboul was a really poor decision.