McLaren F1 Achieves 2024 Highs Despite Missed Opportunities

McLaren F1 excelled in 2024, overcoming missed chances. Team boss Stella emphasizes optimism and strong team performance throughout the season.

McLaren F1 team principal Andrea Stella stated that the missed opportunities in 2024 should not overshadow the high level the team has achieved in Formula 1.

The Woking-based team heads into the final three races with a 36-point lead over Ferrari, aiming to secure the Constructors’ Championship for the first time since 1998.

However, McLaren’s chances of achieving a championship double this season were virtually wiped out in Brazil, as Lando Norris fell 62 points behind Max Verstappen.

Norris had a golden opportunity to close the gap at Interlagos but slipped from pole position to sixth place, while Verstappen climbed from 17th on the grid to victory in the rain.

McLaren has had to lament both driving and strategic errors that have undermined numerous chances to secure more than five victories so far in 2024.

Stella acknowledged that McLaren’s approach involves thoroughly discussing every flaw as a team to minimize the likelihood of similar issues arising in future seasons.

“I think if you ask the same question to every team, if they are honest, they will all say, ‘Yes, we have many opportunities we should review.'”

“That is always our mindset. If you don’t analyze opportunities, you will never improve.”

“And while we are in this pursuit this season, we also want to be in the championship pursuit in the future, so we aim to benefit from every lesson learned.”

“At the same time, I would like to point out that since we brought lap-time improvements to the car in Miami, McLaren has far outperformed all other competitors.”

“I believe that even though we have opportunities to address, the number of points we have scored – not necessarily because we had the best car, as I keep repeating, because we only had the best car at a few events, not all – is simply because the team and drivers have operated at very high standards.”

“We see these high standards as a positive, as the foundation on which to keep building.”

“And to continue building, we certainly need to address what we didn’t do perfectly. But that’s something we do all the time.”

“This is where our culture works very well, and I hope there won’t be many missed opportunities left in the final part of the season.”

“But for now, we are extremely satisfied with what we’ve been able to achieve and the standards we’ve upheld throughout the season.”