I know there is still a long way to go in the season, but I think McLaren are already making a major statement – something along the lines of “we’re back”.
Both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris – seemingly the next two talents in the sport are in first and second respectively, the former by having opened up a bit of a gap after a respectable season last year with a fourth place finish.
Even Norris appears to be edging away from last year’s impressive champion, Max Verstappen, though based on the margin he won it by, I definitely don’t think you can rule him out.
Piastri definitely seems to be the most consistent driver this year though. He has been on the podium for every race so far, with four of them being wins – including his last three. This kind of form is what wins you championships and I think his confidence is sky high at the minute.
There are some tricky races to go though and even the best driver can come unstuck on a narrow circuit like Monte Carlo, especially if the weather conditions are unfavourable, with the tight corners to boot. I’ll be watching this with interest because just one slip of concentration can put you out of contention and I just know that the more experienced Verstappen will be breathing down his neck. The 27-year-old has also won it twice before and knows what it takes.
In any driver’s season, I think this is the circuit that can rejuvenate the winner’s season, so it will make very interesting viewing.
Are McLaren Back And Here To Stay?
Of course, you can attribute McLaren’s success to quite a few reasons – it is quite easy to argue that they have the best drivers, but I know those that are trailing them might say its because they have the superior car.
Though, I know that McLaren have made quite a few changes for this new season and it seems to be showing. Certainly, they’re showing far superior tyre managerment and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff has even implied this as well.
Despite winning the Constructor’s Championship last year, but losing out in the Driver’s Championship to the impressive Verstappen, this shows great consistency.
Certainly, it has been said that the advanced suspension design they now have has made their cars a lot better equipped to handle corners and braking and I definitely see a difference from previous years.
Based on last year and, indeed the start of this, I just can’t see anyone catching them, at least not for a couple of years, though Verstappen will want to have his say on the matter so it will be interesting to see if Red Bull also follow suit.