McLaren, the breakdown

Behind Mercedes et Red Bull, McLaren presented itself in 2021 as the third force on the board after an encouraging 2020 season marked by the progress of the Woking teams. With a new engine (Mercedes) and a duo (Lando Norris-Daniel Ricciardo) updated following the departure of Carlos Sainz in Ferrari, optimism was there in the ranks of the Oranges  who were counting on this year to once again settle at the top of the table.

On the track, the results are not long in coming. From the outset, Lando Norris took a fine 4th place at the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing only behind the championship leaders who are Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen et Valtteri Bottas. On his momentum, the young Englishman narrowly missed pole position at Imola, scene of the 2nd round of the campaign, but made up for it by finishing 3rd the next day.

McLaren celebrates Lando Norris' podium finish at Imola. ©DPPI/F. Gooden

Convincing results which allowed the team led by Zak Brown to get off to a good start and sit as the favorites for 3rd place among the Manufacturers while Ferrari gradually recovered from a 2020 season to forget and the rest was to come. give credit. Daniel Ricciardo not fully adapted, Lando Norris took on the mantle of leader and continued with 7 Top 5s and 2 podiums (Monaco and Austria) in 9 races to allow McLaren to arrive at the summer break in 3rd position, however tied with the Scuderia (163 points each).

« We were a little surprised in some races to be able to compete with Mercedes and Red Bull with such a tight gap, explained Andrea Stella, head of competition at McLaren, after Hungary last August. In the race, Red Bull and Mercedes nevertheless tend to widen the gap compared to the middle of the grid, this is a fact that we have observed throughout the year."

Back to top

Once again present at the top of the table, McLaren confirms this return to form in the second part of the season. Impressive at Monza last September, the MCL35M allows the British team to achieve a double thanks to the victory of Daniel Ricciardo ahead of Lando Norris, a first since the Canadian Grand Prix in 2010 and the success of Lewis Hamilton and the 2nd place of Jenson Button.

« This double is the fruit of our merit, savored team principal Andreas Seidl. We had a competitive and reliable car, made the fastest stop, the fastest lap and implemented a very good strategy. Both (Ricciardo and Norris) resisted the pressure knowing that we had a car competitive. We knew we had to seize this opportunity to secure important points and perform under pressure since we had plenty of elements to fight for at the front. »

Monza, scene of the best race of the season for McLaren. ©DPPI/F. Gooden

The trend was confirmed at the following meeting in Sochi (Russia), where Lando Norris, in unpredictable weather conditions, took the first pole position of his career before coming close to victory the next day but the rain and a bad decision did not change. did not work in his favor. Everything then suggested that the Orange had done the hardest part to get 3rd place among the Manufacturers but the last third of the season suddenly proved more difficult than expected and the drop in performance became inevitable. 

Slump

Long alone behind the two ogres Red Bull and Mercedes, McLaren saw its momentum suddenly slow down as the end of the season approached. Since Russia, four Grands Prix have been contested (Turkey, United States, Mexico and Brazil) and the men from Woking suffered the blow by scoring only 22 small points. Meanwhile, Ferrari, which introduced its engine upgrade in Sochi, struck hard.

Taking advantage of the setbacks of their opponents, the Scuderia reversed the trend in the championship by winning 70 units in the same period of time. Worse still, the Reds settled in 3rd place and even took off. After being up to 18 points behind, they are 31,5 points ahead and the situation does not seem to be getting any better for the Woking men.

« This triplet (Mexico-Brazil-Qatar) hasn't gone well so far, recognizes Andreas Seidl aware of the recent difficulties within the structure. We hope to be better in the coming days (…) We will continue to work hard and get back stronger in the next races, starting with Qatar."

Long successful, McLaren is going through a complicated period in the final stretch of the season. Between the bad luck of their drivers as was the case for Lando Norris in Brazil (5th on the grid and hit at the start by Carlos Sainz) and the return to form of Ferrari, Zak Brown and company lost big but still did not win. alarm bell. With three Grands Prix to go and 31,5 points behind the Scuderia, the English team sees its initial objective slipping away but remains confident despite everything. “ There are three races left, we will continue to fight », warns Daniel Ricciardo before tackling Qatar this weekend. On a mission, the Australian and Lando Norris must turn things around to offer their leaders 3rd place behind Mercedes and Red Bull when the curtain drops in Abu Dhabi (December 10-12) and close the 2021 campaign in the most beautiful manners.

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