Sainz, Ricciardo… The house's veterans judge McLaren's progress

After a slump in the 2010s and particularly since the start of the hybrid era with a disappointing engine partnership with Honda, McLaren gradually reborn from its ashes. There was 2021 and the double at Monza carried by the victory of Daniel Ricciardo. But it is above all these last 12 months which have allowed the English team to return to the forefront.

Rare in recent years, the triumphs signed by Woking have almost become recurring, the British firm asserting itself as the second force in the field in 2024. Some sometimes even see it ahead Red Bull, yet a real reference since the new regulations in 2022 and practically untouchable thanks to a Max Verstappen at the top of his art. But McLaren has taken the time to rebuild and the results are starting to show. Lando Norris finally established itself in F1 and took pole positions, Oscar piastri also entered the winner's circle... Performances which allowed Zak Brown and his gang to place themselves in 2nd positions in both tables, Drivers and Manufacturers.

“Congratulate those who succeed”

An incredible and almost unexpected leap forward given the position the team was in a little over a year ago. At the start of 2023, she was fighting to get out of a Q1 in qualifying. From now on, she does it for the most important places in Grand Prix. Proof that the decisions made by management were the right ones.

« I wouldn't say I would have predicted it, recognize Carlos Sainz, passed through Surrey between 2019 and 2020 before heading to Ferrari. When I left McLaren four years ago, I felt like the team was going in the right direction and that it was a really good place to work, and I enjoyed my time there. When I was leaving, I had the feeling that it was only a matter of time, that it would take them two years, four years, six years to become McLaren again, whose historic success we all know. (...) It was last year in particular that they showed their true strength and took big steps forward, in a very short time, but very, very big. I take my hat off to them."

Sainz in the colors of McLaren in 2019. © Frederic Le Floc'h / DPPI

Successor to Carlos Sainz at McLaren in 2021, Daniel Ricciardo gave a speech similar to that of the Spaniard. If the story ended hastily with an early termination of contract, the Australian only bowed to the progress of his former employer whom he greets today.

« I won a race with them, so I don't know what you're talking about, jokeshe said before detailing the progress of the Oranges in more detail. It's hard to say. When I was there, I was more delicate or it was above all challenges. Did I predict this? I'm not going to say yes because I don't think I have.

From that point of view, it's surprising to see that in two years, or even a little less, they have probably become the fastest on the grid. But I'm not the type to say to myself “If only I could have lived it”. It’s sport, that’s how it is. We have to take our hats off to them. In this environment, we must congratulate all those who succeed, who progress in such a short time. » No hard feelings then.

© Antonin Vincent / DPPI

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