McLaren CEO Zak Brown insists the MCL39 is not as dominant as many analysts and fans have suggested. According to the 53-year-old, McLaren’s execution on race day has given them an edge.
Other teams on the grid, from Mercedes to Red Bull, would likely disagree with this sentiment.
In any case, Brown emphasises that McLaren cannot allow themselves to become complacent.
McLaren downplay performance advantage of the MCL39
F1 is unique in the sense that, whilst all drivers and teams strive for the best car, nobody wants to admit it when they are indeed fastest.
This has been consistently true historically, and is regularly exemplified by McLaren.
The Woking-based outfit’s senior personnel, team principal Andrea Stella and Zak Brown, repeatedly dismiss claims the MCL39 is dominant.
On numerous occasions, they emphasise that Red Bull are far more competitive than they claim.
Stella has even suggested that Red Bull are very effective at controlling the narrative to suit them and put pressure on McLaren.
Of course, this is difficult to agree with when Norris and Piastri finish over 30 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
Despite this, Zak Brown emphasised post-race in Miami that it would be inaccurate to say his team are dominant:
“I know it’s 5 of 6, and technically that’s statistically dominant.
“But I can tell you, having been on pit wall for the wins, this one was obviously one we could control.
“Australia was tricky conditions – the other three that we won, we weren’t even the fastest car. We just executed really well.
“A lot of racing to go, great to see the gap here, but we’re not taking anything for granted.
“Buts a long way to go. This time last year we were third in the Championship I believe.
“And the team that was leading the Championship ended up in third…. tells you there’s a lot of racing left to go.”
Imola upgrades could change the pecking order
As it stands, it seems clear that McLaren have a significant advantage over every other team.
Japan is the only race where a non-McLaren has triumphed this year, and that was only after Piastri and Norris underachieved in qualifying.
There are only two potential variables which could change this trend, excluding wet conditions or incidents.
The first is for upgrades, which will arrive at the Imola GP, to allow Red Bull or Mercedes to close the gap.
With limited wind tunnel time and the budget cap, it will be difficult for either team to overturn the advantage completely.
However, particularly in the case of Verstappen and Red Bull, they believe that McLaren are beatable if they can get within a few tenths.
Another potential banana skin for McLaren will be the Spanish GP technical directive to target flexi front-wings.
Red Bull have expressed confidence that this directive could drastically minimise the MCL39’s advantage.
Regardless, McLaren will continue to play the game and downplay the extent of their advantage.
Only time will tell if Piastri or Norris will be successful in taking the F1 crown away from Max Verstappen.
