McLaren's methodical approach to upgrades pays off in Formula 1 season turnaround

Team principal Andrea Stella explained the rationale behind their measured strategy, emphasizing the importance of staying methodical in their development process.

The season began with McLaren conceding that they had fallen short of their development targets with the MCL60 car, putting them on the back foot. However, a significant turning point came in Austria when they introduced a successful upgrade that propelled them up the competitive order, leading to a string of impressive performances that included four podium finishes.

Their next major update didn't arrive until Singapore, a substantial 10 weeks after the Austrian upgrade. 

Speaking to the media, Stella shed light on the team's philosophy when it comes to implementing upgrades.

"I'm focused on the process," Stella stated. "You can have targets and milestones from a results perspective, but in reality, we don't rush things. We work at the fastest, reasonable pace that can be sustained in development, and then we see where we end up."

Stella emphasized that attempting to speed up the natural development process could have detrimental effects. "If you rush, you may start taking shortcuts, bringing untested components to the track, and that can lead to setbacks because you haven't been methodical enough," he cautioned.

Looking at the season's progress, Stella expressed his satisfaction, saying, "If we want to measure ourselves against our highest expectations, I believe we are slightly ahead of even the most optimistic predictions. This is a testament to the excellent work on the technical, operational, and racing fronts at McLaren."

McLaren's strategic approach to upgrades has paid dividends, with the team steadily improving its performance throughout the season. As they head into the Qatar Grand Prix, the 17th race of the Formula 1 season, McLaren fans have reason to be optimistic about their team's prospects.

The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled to take place from October 6 to 8 at the Losail International Circuit, a permanent venue located just outside of Lusail, north of Doha. With McLaren's calculated approach to development, they are poised to continue their strong run in the world of Formula 1.

 

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