The 2024 season is expected to be an exciting one, as each team strives to close the gap to Red Bull in the coming year. Ahead of the start of the season, we are breaking down what you can expect from the teams.
Today, we will take a closer look at McLaren.
After a tough start to the 2023 season, things turned around for the team during round eleven at the Silverstone Grand Prix. The team had received an upgrade the week prior that focused on improving the aerodynamic efficiency of their vehicle, the MCL60. Looking ahead to the 2024 season, the team was the first to unveil their new livery. In January, the British team surprised fans by revealing not only the new livery but also a completely blank Instagram account.
The team has also made many new additions to the team for the upcoming season. David Sanches, a former Ferrari aerodynamic specialist, and Rob Marshall, who previously served as Red Bull’s chief engineering officer, have joined McLaren. Marshall will be the Technical Director of Engineering and Design, and Sanches will be the Technical Director of Car Concept and Performance.
The team has much to look forward to in 2024 with the return of driver duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The Drivers
Lando Norris: Norris will be returning for his sixth season with the team. In the 2023 season, he finished in sixth place in the constructors’ championship, only one point behind the tied third and fourth positions and one place higher than the year before. Over the winter break, it was announced that Norris signed a “multi-year” contract, which confirms him as a driver for the Woking-based team through at least 2026. In an interview with Motorsport.com, the Briton.”hared his thoughts on the 2023 season, saying “I think it’s been my best year.”.
Oscar Piastri: Piastri will be returning to McLaren for the next season after a successful rookie season with the team. The Australian driver made a strong impression throughout the year, earning a total of ninety-seven points and finishing ninth in the driver’s championship. He also secured his first sprint race victory at the Qatar Sprint Race. During the season it was announced that Piastri had signed a contract extension with McLaren that runs through 2026.
Pato O’Ward: Pato O’Ward will join the team as a reserve driver in 2024. While in this role, he will continue his driver duties for the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team, where he has raced for the past three seasons, accumulating a total of four race wins, five starts on pole positions, and placed in the top three 20 times. We saw the Mexican take to the Formula One car with McLaren during Abu Dhabi free practice one and the post-season test at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Team Principal
Andrea Stella: Stella, who was promoted to the position of team principal at McLaren in December 2022, is returning with the team for the 2024 season. He has been with the McLaren team since 2015, working in various roles such as Race Engineer, Head of Race Operations, Performance Director, and Executive Director of Racing. Throughout his Formula One career, the Italian has overseen over ninety-two race victories.
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