McLaren Boss Says MCL40 Had Podium Pace Despite 5th‑7th Qualifying
McLaren’s chief says the new car’s race speed was on par with top teams, even though Saturday’s qualifying left them in 5th and 7th.
After the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, McLaren’s chief executive, Zak Brown, told Motorsport.com that the new MCL40 had the raw race pace to challenge for podiums, even though the team finished 5th and 7th in Saturday’s qualifying. Brown pointed out that the car’s performance in the race was “comparable to the front‑row cars” and that the only real issue was the inability to extract the full potential of the power unit during the short, high‑temperature qualifying session.
The MCL40’s on‑track speed was evident when Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished 5th and 7th, respectively, with lap times that were within a second of the leaders. Brown noted that the car’s aerodynamic package and tyre strategy allowed it to keep up with the front‑row teams for most of the race, and that the only difference was the lack of a single‑lap qualifying advantage. He added that the team had “a lot of data” to work with and that the car’s performance is a strong foundation for the rest of the season.
Brown’s comments come at a time when McLaren is under pressure to deliver a competitive car after a mixed 2023 season. He acknowledged that the team’s qualifying performance was disappointing, but emphasized that the car’s race pace is a positive sign for the future. The team will look to refine the power unit and improve the car’s single‑lap performance in the coming races.
For Indian fans, the MCL40’s performance means that McLaren could be a dark horse in the upcoming races. The Bahrain GP was broadcast on FanCode India, and the next race in Saudi Arabia will also be available on the platform. Fans can tune in to see if McLaren can translate the MCL40’s race pace into a podium finish. The team’s focus on improving qualifying will be crucial for their chances in the next few Grands Prix.
Source: Motorsport.com