McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella revealed that the upgrades to their MCL38 are surpassing expectations, enhancing both aero efficiency and pace. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have seen improved performance post-upgrade, with notable results in Imola where Piastri qualified just 0.074 seconds behind poleman Max Verstappen.

By the Numbers
  • Oscar Piastri qualified second at Imola, 0.074 seconds behind Verstappen.
  • Lando Norris was third, 0.091 seconds behind Verstappen.
  • Prior to upgrades, McLaren was six-tenths off Red Bull’s pace in Japan.
Yes, But

While McLaren’s upgraded car shows significant improvement, race dynamics like Verstappen's tow from Nico Hulkenberg and minor errors can impact outcomes, suggesting several factors are at play beyond raw performance.

State of Play
  • McLaren's upgrades have closed the gap with Red Bull more than expected.
  • Fast pace and strategic choices are critical for McLaren in the upcoming race.
  • Ferrari's performance, especially Leclerc's long-run pace, remains a competitive concern.
What's Next

McLaren aims to maintain strong race pace and strategic flexibility to maximize results in the 63-lap race while closely monitoring Ferrari's and Red Bull's performance levels.

Bottom Line

McLaren’s unexpected leap in performance post-upgrades puts them in a promising position to challenge top teams, but they must navigate various race factors and strong competitors like Ferrari to capitalize fully.