[Team] McLaren - can they compete?

[S griffin]

The fact he’s getting results shows he’s not letting the car’s characteristics hold him back. The important thing is it’s faster

[chavez]

Once again, we have seen another weekend where the McLaren's have been genuinely competitive, and Lando has lost out to his supposedly weaker teammate.

The win on Saturday was certainly within reach, at least prior to the start, and a great drive on Sunday saw Lando still finish behind Piastri.

Perhaps no-one knows more than Lando that drivers need to grab those fleeting opportunities. They are few and far between.

By failing to gasp those opportunities with Russia, Monza and now Qatar, does Lando lack that edge that separates the very good drivers from those ruthless drivers who will scratch and claw their way to grab that fleeting opportunity?

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by chavez

Once again, we have seen another weekend where the McLaren's have been genuinely competitive, and Lando has lost out to his supposedly weaker teammate.

The win on Saturday was certainly within reach, at least prior to the start, and a great drive on Sunday saw Lando still finish behind Piastri.

Perhaps no-one knows more than Lando that drivers need to grab those fleeting opportunities. They are few and far between.

By failing to gasp those opportunities with Russia, Monza and now Qatar, does Lando lack that edge that separates the very good drivers from those ruthless drivers who will scratch and claw their way to grab that fleeting opportunity?

Nah, Lando is a gun.

I really enjoy McLaren's driver lineup, it's one of the strongest on the grid and we can easily appreciate both drivers for what they are - very good and long term multiple race winners.

[S griffin]

Lando has carried the team well and I would argue Oscar wouldn’t be where he is without Lando. However it remains to be seen how much more they could achieve, although I’m sure Lando will get his first win eventually

[GTRMagic]

Mr Brown has been busy on his personal Twitter tonight, suggesting McLaren will continue to be supplied technical equipment by Mercedes Benz HPE until at least 2030..

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Oscar wouldn’t be where he is without Lando.

On what basis could this possibly be true?

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Nah, Lando is a gun.

I really enjoy McLaren's driver lineup, it's one of the strongest on the grid and we can easily appreciate both drivers for what they are - very good and long term multiple race winners.

The car is far from perfect.
It is really a bit of a lump of coal that's been upgraded with some diamond style upgrades, but parts of it are still coal or iron.
Lando and Oscar have benefitted from upgrades by really tackling its deficiencies in a intelligent way but it is still a lump of coal underneath.

Hopefully next year's car will remedy many of the underlying MCL60 deficiencies.

[Guthrie]

They had a really good second half of 2023 season and they have two really good young drivers that have enough talent to win multiple races. I am expecting good competition from them in the upcoming season. They may not be able to finish above Red Bull but we may see them finish the 2024 at the second spot.

[Guthrie]

Lando Norris extends McLaren deal which will see him stay with the British team beyond 2025. I think it is a good deal for the driver as well as the team.

[MaxLL]

Originally Posted by Guthrie

Lando Norris extends McLaren deal which will see him stay with the British team beyond 2025. I think it is a good deal for the driver as well as the team.

Hmm, I've read that beyond 2026: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/no...deal/10569397/

[GTRMagic]

Be funny when Mr Piastri wins his first race before Mr Norris does, and a WDC..

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Be funny when Mr Piastri wins his first race before Mr Norris does, and a WDC..

As much as anyone rates Lando, I also think Oscar is right in the mix. One of my potential 2024 predictions (saving it for the eventual prediction thread) is that Oscar wins a full race before Lando! However I am using reverse psychology on the universe as the accuracy of my predictions are typically quite bad. That if I pick Oscar to win, it will instead be Lando.

Richard

[Alan52]

Given that Oscar is on about 10% of Lando’s salary in 2024 any challenge would be pretty embarrassing.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Be funny when Mr Piastri wins his first race before Mr Norris does, and a WDC..

I'll have a fiver on it with you on the latter.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I'll have a fiver on it with you on the latter.

Sold!