What do you think's going on at McLaren right now then?

[entropy]

Already a season to forget? Start developing next year's car?

[HustleRussell]

It's strikingly similar to last year in a lot of ways, only probably worse in terms of outright competitiveness- so I suspect like last year they'll get the car circulating reliably pretty early in the season and then find themselves approximately 7th best team for much of it. A scrappy season with inconsistent results, possibly with the added complication of drivers beefing.

[anonymous-user]

I suspect Oscar Piastri is wondering if he made the right decision. Maybe McLaren is where Australian drivers go to kill their careers?

[StevieBee]

I do wonder if as a company, they've stretched themselves thin. They're running F1, Indy Formula E, Extreme E, Esports... Zak's got United Autosport bubbling along too.

I know that they've long been prone to diversification (Hi-Fi, Dinners, Etc.) but I can't help wondering if the ethos has changed from being an F1 team to a Motor Racing Company and whether this is having an impact.

[Muzzer79]

I think it highlights just how difficult it is to get from the back to the front in F1, especially now the cost-cap has been instigated.

The teams may now be financially viable, but that doesn't help too much if you're stuck in 6th out of 10 teams.

Having said that; Aston Martin appear to be improving very nicely, in a very similar boat.

It's not a question of resources, James Key is talented, Zak seems to not be a nutter, Lando is a star in waiting, Piastri has loads of potential, doesn't seem to be much wrong with the engine.....Makes you wonder if there's just a combination of things they're not unlocking.

Edited by Muzzer79 on Friday 10th March 14:12

[InformationSuperHighway]

I also see too many cooks and not great single iconic leadership.

Think about Toto, Horner or even Ron Dennis (For all his foibles) They are single threaded strong leaders that are ever present and the off track face of the team.

It feels like sometimes it's Zak when he can be arsed to travel, other times someone else.. with the change just now, I can't even remember the guys name who is team principal.

They are missing an iconic leader and figure head of the team who's culture and personality permeates throughout the entire organization, from tea lady to the drivers.

[Sixpackpert]

Apparently David Sanchez is on his way back from Ferrari. Could help to solve the draggy car they have had for the last few years.

[Jasandjules]

entropy said:

Already a season to forget? Start developing next year's car?

Given that the Regs are not changing next year, developing this year's car IS helping with next year as well.

[mw88]

entropy said:

Already a season to forget? Start developing next year's car?

Just like the last 10 years, it always seems to be "next year" or "New regulations in x years".

I really hope their new wind tunnel pays off (Not the only issue they've got) but I don't know how much more patience Lando will have before he jumps ship if things don't improve in the next year or two.

[snotrag]

Muzzer79 said:

Lando is a star in waiting

He's been waiting a while now though. He really needs to be moving forward with regular big points hauls and podiums at this point in his career, but he aint gonna get that. I can see him getting frustrated unless there is some serious progress over the course of this year.

[Sandpit Steve]

snotrag said:

Muzzer79 said:

Lando is a star in waiting

He's been waiting a while now though. He really needs to be moving forward with regular big points hauls and podiums at this point in his career, but he aint gonna get that. I can see him getting frustrated unless there is some serious progress over the course of this year.

Lando will be hoping Lewis Hamilton wants to hang up his helmet soon.

[Deesee]

Preparation is everything

[wpa1975]

Muzzer79 said:

I think it highlights just how difficult it is to get from the back to the front in F1, especially now the cost-cap has been removed.

They still have the cost cap.

[entropy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY_nPTknhe8

Sounds like McLaren are better off working on next year's car; working on this year's car will help with optimizing the wind tunnel correlation when it comes online later in the year.

[Muzzer79]

wpa1975 said:

Muzzer79 said:

I think it highlights just how difficult it is to get from the back to the front in F1, especially now the cost-cap has been removed.

They still have the cost cap.

Ah, I meant instigated. Edited.

[rdjohn]

Perhaps its Ying and Yang for the Pilastri / Alpine fiasco last year.

Unlike Mercedes, I doubt the even have a good Plan-B at this moment. They cant wait until their wind-tunnel comes on stream, that will take months of calibration, so its a lot of trips to Switzerland, I guess.

[thegreenhell]

James Key gone, David Sanchez returns from Ferrari, but no overall tech boss, instead three technical department heads reporting to the TP. Sounds like the a return to the sort of structure they had under Martin Whitmarsh, and that didn't work either.