After McLaren secured its third victory of the 2024 Formula 1 season, team principal Andrea Stella credited the Woking-based outfit’s unwavering commitment to development as the driving force behind its recent achievements.
Starting the Zandvoort race from pole position, Lando Norris initially lost the lead but quickly regained it. Overtaking Max Verstappen on track to claim his second victory of the season. Not only did Norris secure the win with the largest margin of the year, but he also set the fastest lap, capping off an emphatic performance.
Reflecting on the Dutch Grand Prix, Stella expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress. Highlighting that McLaren had closed the gap to Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship.
“We leave Dutch GP with a significant victory and further proof of strides we’re making as a team,” Stella remarked. “Lando’s dominant weekend, capped with a comfortable win and fastest lap. In addition to his pole position, reaffirms the exceptional talent we’ve always known him to be.”
Stella also praised Oscar Piastri for his strong showing, despite narrowly missing out on a podium finish. “Oscar had a solid weekend, but he was hampered by dirty air for a considerable portion of the race, which limited his ability to advance further. Nevertheless, he secured valuable points for the Constructors’ Championship.”
McLaren bolstered its success at Zandvoort with the introduction of its second comprehensive upgrade package of the season. Featuring a range of aerodynamic enhancements. Stella emphasized the importance of these upgrades in elevating the team’s performance. Particularly given McLaren’s early-season struggles to keep pace with Red Bull and Ferrari.
Stella explained that the new upgrades brought to the track significantly boosted this weekend’s success. “These developments have clearly increased the car’s competitiveness, and I want to extend my gratitude to the entire team for their relentless effort in developing, producing, and delivering these upgrades.”
Looking ahead, Stella stressed the importance of maintaining momentum as the team prepares for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix. “We will celebrate this victory but quickly shift our focus to Monza. Where we aim to build on the momentum of the past few races. A big thank you to our entire team, our fans, and our partners. We’re excited to take on the challenge in Italy.”
As McLaren continues its upward trajectory, Stella’s words underscore the crucial role of continuous development in maintaining and enhancing the team’s competitiveness in the fiercely contested Formula 1 landscape.
