McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has promised to push Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari “even harder” in F1 2024, with the team working “around the clock” to do this.
McLaren’s meteoric climb through the ranks in F1 2023 was perhaps the year’s biggest feel-good story, as they rose from misery to merriment to finish a respectable P4 in the Constructors’ Championship.
But with that comes increased expectation, with many predicting McLaren to be the closest rival to the dominant Red Bull squad in 2024.
McLaren has a “difficult” task in 2024.
Brown has warned, however, that despite a massive amount of work being done at McLaren’s headquarters in Woking, it may not be enough to upset F1’s established top three order.
“As we work around the clock on our 2024 challenger, we intend to build on this year’s progress and push our rivals even harder next year,” Brown said in a statement
“We will face a formidable challenge next season in closing the gap to the front.”
“All teams are locked in a race for car development and faster speeds that is as fierce off the track as it is on it, but our team will rise to the occasion with its usual tenacity and unwavering dedication.”
“Mercedes, Ferrari, and Aston Martin didn’t make it easy for us, but we pushed at every race on every lap, resulting in a thrilling finish in which the final positions in the FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship were only decided at the season’s 23rd — and final — round.”
“Never before have five different teams earned seven podium finishes in the same season, which speaks volumes.”
Brown’s appraisal follows Lando Norris’ incredibly favourable statements during the Abu Dhabi season finale, when he teased that the car will see even “bigger changes” next year.
“I expect some bigger changes than we’ve had over the last year,” he told PlanetF1.com. “I think we’re in a position now, more than ever, where we can tackle more things at once.”
“If you’re still last, you try to concentrate on one thing, just making the car a little bit faster.”
“I believe we are now in a much better position.” Now we can concentrate on some of the finer details, which we haven’t been able to improve much on in the last five years.
“Some small things can make a big difference, so if we can work on that, I’m confident we can have a very good car and a more consistent car next year.” That is the most important thing we want.”
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