McLaren team manager Andrea Stella commented on the results of the first practice session at the Hungarian circuit, in which Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took sixth and seventh places. He also stressed that the team is determined to catch up and stay ahead of Red Bull Racing in the constructors’ championship in the second half of the season.
Andrea Stella: “Some of the conclusions we have drawn are interesting in their own way. We can confirm that the results are very close, so we have another exciting race ahead of us, as it seems with Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, etc., everyone who is usually considered a favorite is showing quite similar speeds.
It also became clear that it is very hot here, so we have to solve complex problems related to cooling the car. It is also difficult to keep the tires at normal temperatures, and we have to try to create more comfortable conditions for the drivers.
In these conditions I foresee problems with the balance of the car, also due to the fact that the rear tyres quickly lose their efficiency. In general there are many difficulties, they are technical and sporting, and in general I think Formula 1 will have an interesting weekend.
Recently McLaren has managed to improve the efficiency of its cooling systems, and we are already working more comfortably, even in hot weather. Therefore, we do not believe that it is precisely in such conditions that our weaknesses can be exposed.
It is remarkable, by the way, that even soft rubber can withstand such heat quite well, while on asphalt with such abrasive properties as on the Hungaroring it offers a decent grip. But on hard tires the car slips a little, but in reality it works quite well.”
McLaren has scored more points than any other team in the championship over the last six races, and Andrea Stella does not rule out the possibility that it could even overtake Red Bull Racing in the constructors’ championship in the second half of the season.
“I formulate the task that is now before us as follows: ’78’, he said. “That is exactly how many points separate us from the first place in the team classification.” That is why all our attention is now focused on solving it. We understand that if we remain among the favorites until the end of the season, we will far exceed all expectations, but at the same time the whole team is as motivated as possible, because they see the opportunity to fight for victory in the championship. .
That’s the mentality of everyone at McLaren, so I hope we can continue this fight until the end of the season.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
