McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has issued an alarming warning to Red Bull and Max Verstappen, suggesting his team will “build on” their progression from the first part of the season with a series of new parts for the MCL38.
Verstappen arrives at his Dutch Grand Prix without winning in four races, a fact almost unthinkable just a few months ago. McLaren is the team that has the momentum in the name battle, and although the defending champion’s lead is 78 points at the moment, it may narrow slightly.
Red Bull’s performance against Mercedes and McLaren at Spa causes alarm in Verstappen’s field, and Red Bull’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship has now been reduced to just 42 points. Stella’s team does not give up any of the titles.
Assessing the status of the progression battle, Stella said: “As far as the ATR (aerodynamic testing regulations) are concerned, I’m not sure. In fact, Red Bull has made more progressions on the track so far, in terms of physical portions delivered, if you take a look at the shipping, that done.
“But I can speak on behalf of McLaren, now it seems that we deserve some of that progression that we have accumulated, and I would hope that for this second part of the season we will have several new components.
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The Italian team manager added: “In a way, I’m surprised that we were so competitive, given that from Miami onwards we didn’t bring many new parts to the trackArray. That means that obviously the Miami update was important, but there are some innovations “. That will come in the second part of the season.
If McLaren continues to extend its merit over Red Bull and Lando Norris closes in on Verstappen at the top of the drivers’ championship, Zak Brown and Stella will face tough decisions when it comes to team orders and prioritising the fight for the Briton’s name.
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Responding to those concerns, Brown told Motorsport. com: “Obviously, if you come in later in the championship and one driver has a better chance than another, then you start to look at the things you do strategically differently. “
“But we treat them equally. They know it, they appreciate it and they respect our decisions when we have to make concessions. They are very respectful of that. So I think we’re lucky and lucky to have the two Americans that we have. .
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