McLaren's Andrea Stella analyses Formula 1's close battles and development dynamics

While Red Bull dominated the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships, the battle for positions beyond the front-runners showcased Formula 1's closely contested nature. Throughout the season, qualifying sessions were marked by minimal gaps, highlighting the fierce competition with slim margins differentiating the cars over a single lap.

Stella underscores that the continuous development of cars during the season played a pivotal role in closing the gaps in race pace by the season's end. Reflecting on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he noted, "Mercedes and Ferrari had a little bit more than us in the race," illustrating the shifting balance among the top teams.

Beyond the top four or five teams, Stella observes that parity has become a hallmark, stating, "Now, pretty much everyone is close." He describes a particularly compelling moment during the race in Abu Dhabi, where the compact group of cars made finding gaps for strategic pit stops a challenging endeavour.

"This is actually a very interesting position for Formula 1 to be in," Stella remarked. He leaves the door open for anticipation, saying, "Let’s see how things will change going into next season."

Analysing McLaren's season, Stella divides it into three phases, highlighting the team's journey from initial struggles to consistent podium contention. "We started uncompetitive," he admits, but crucial steps forward in Austria and Singapore catapulted them into the forefront. In the latter part of the season, the team maintained a steady development pace, although other competitors, through successful upgrades, managed to close the gap.

Stella clarifies, "It’s not like we have degraded our performance; simply some other cars have closed the gap on us or even overtaken us." Looking ahead to the next season, he recognizes the need for McLaren to make a further step forward to relish the successes achieved in the latter part of the 2023 campaign.

As teams and drivers now enter a well-deserved break before the 2024 season, the focus shifts to the upcoming official F1 pre-season testing. Set to unfold at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir from February 23-25, this testing period serves as a crucial prelude to the highly anticipated new season. The 5.412-kilometre track, home to the Bahrain Grand Prix, will witness teams fine-tuning their machines for the challenges that lie ahead in the evolving landscape of Formula 1.

 

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