Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, predicts that the company's wind tunnel facilities and new recruits will not produce their full potential until 2025. After a sluggish start to the 2023 season, McLaren made great strides forward in the next year thanks to an improvement that was unveiled during the Austrian Grand Prix in the middle of the season, which improved their on-track performance. They finished fourth in the constructors' championship because of this upgrade. Beyond on-track advances, McLaren is undergoing continuous alterations with important personnel additions and structural modifications. Notably, Team Principal Andrea Stella is the direct boss of the newly formed Formula 1 Technical Executive Team. Both David Sanchez, who will be returning to McLaren after years at Ferrari, and Peter Prodromou, who is now serving as Technical Director of aerodynamics, are important hires. Sanchez will be taking on the post of Technical Director of car Concept and Performance. With all of these changes, McLaren is expected to have strong upcoming seasons.
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F1: Zak Brown Praises Oscar's Performance
Oscar Piastri distinguished himself as one of the standout rookies in Formula One by not just meeting but exceeding the tremendous expectations he had going into his maiden season.
The Australian driver was in a highly desirable position, with interest from both Alpine and McLaren, his present squad. Despite his lack of Grand Prix experience, he was thrust into the limelight by the fierce rivalry for his potential. Despite everything that happened in 2023, Piastri used his performances on the track to tell the story, admitting that it was the busiest year of his life.
"I believe we have the strongest driver pairing on the Formula 1 grid," said Mclaren CEO in his opean letter. "Many agree that Oscar has been a revelation in his rookie campaign, and he has already shown he is able to fight at the front with the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. It was a shame he missed out on a podium at Silverstone, due to the timing of the Safety Car. Still, he did achieve his first at Suzuka before his brilliant victory in the Qatar Sprint, both of which prove he is an exceptional talent. "
"With a new contract that takes Oscar with us through to the end of 2026, I’ve no doubt he’ll continue to impress as he gains more experience. Victory in the Sprint in Qatar was one of two fitting achievements for the team that weekend in what has been a very special year," he added.
F1: Brown Aims to Start 2024 on the Right Foot
Among the more inspiring stories of 2023 was McLaren's meteoric rise through the ranks of Formula One, which they overcame from a difficult beginning to earn a respectable fourth-place finish in the Constructors' Championship.
On the other hand, this triumph has raised eyebrows, and many now expect McLaren to pose a serious threat to Red Bull in the 2024 season.
Zak Brown said: "While it was a tough start for us in Formula 1, we stayed focused and remained calm under our new leadership team, headed by Andrea Stella, to develop our car, which took us from the back of the grid to fighting at the front. The amazing thing is that, apart from a few changes at leadership level, it was the same people who started the season that enabled McLaren to finish 2023 strongly. And as we work around the clock on our 2024 challenger, we intend to build on this year’s progress and push our rivals even harder next year."
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"We face a formidable challenge next season in continuing to close the gap to the front. All teams are locked in a quest for car development and greater pace that is just as fierce off the track as it is on it, but our team will rise to the challenge with its usual determination and relentless dedication," he added.
Brown's evaluation follows Lando Norris's incredibly encouraging comments during the Abu Dhabi season finale, when he hinted that the car will be receiving even "bigger changes" in the next year.
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