McLaren has made the most progress in the past year, and it is now clear that they have a competitive car, even surpassing their competitors in some circuits. This was evident at the Montmelo track, where their MCL38 car showed its capabilities. Lando Norris ended a long drought for the team, finishing on the podium in the Spanish Grand Prix. Just last year, they finished outside of the points zone with the same lineup of drivers.
Despite their strong performance, the team was unable to secure a win. Norris, who started from pole position, struggled with a poor start and finished behind Max Verstappen, who is having an incredible season with seven wins out of ten possible. The gap between Norris and Verstappen in the championship standings is significant, with Verstappen holding a 69-point advantage.
The increased competitiveness of McLaren makes the races more exciting, and the challenge from Mercedes and Ferrari adds another layer of intrigue. The team’s performance has caught the attention of fans and pundits alike.
In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Norris reflected on his performance, stating that one or two meters made the difference between winning the race and not. He acknowledged that while he didn’t have an impeccable performance, he couldn’t complain, but ultimately lost too much at the beginning.
Norris expressed frustration over losing to Verstappen, especially given that McLaren had the faster car. He praised his team for doing a good job and emphasized the need for improvement. He also acknowledged that the overtaking, following, and dirty air conditions made it difficult to overtake Verstappen.
The upcoming events in Austria and Silverstone will give McLaren another opportunity to prove themselves and potentially challenge Red Bull for the top spot.