McLaren team chief, Andrea Stella, has expressed optimism about the team’s chances of challenging Ferrari for a podium spot at the Japanese Grand Prix. Despite a rocky start to the season, McLaren showed signs of improvement at the Suzuka circuit, with Oscar Piastri securing a third-place qualifying position and Lando Norris starting from fifth. Stella attributed this progress to better chassis, set-up, and power unit performance, particularly in collaboration with HPP (Mercedes) engineers. However, he acknowledged that Ferrari still holds an advantage over McLaren in terms of competitiveness.
Looking ahead to the race, Stella acknowledged Ferrari’s pace and expressed doubt about McLaren’s ability to compete for a podium finish but remained open to the unpredictable nature of racing. He emphasized the need for further car improvements and upgrades to enhance McLaren’s chances of securing podium finishes in future races. While the team aims to steadily improve and potentially challenge for victories later in the season, Stella maintained a realistic outlook on McLaren’s current position relative to Ferrari.
