P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren will need "another 12 months" to fix F1 weaknesses
McLaren has shown significant progress since the start of last year, especially with upgrades introduced in mid-2023 which helped them secure fourth place in the season. In 2024, the team began the season battling Mercedes for third place, as Ferrari’s improved race pace poses a challenge. The MCL38, McLaren’s 2024 challenger, carries over weaknesses from its predecessor, with plans to introduce upgrades during the Miami or Imola rounds in May. Team principal Andrea Stella emphasized the need for another 12 months of development to address weaknesses like long-corner performance and DRS efficiency. Stella explained that erasing weaknesses is a natural part of car development and not a sign of anything going wrong at the factory. Despite the ongoing development, he remains positive about the team’s progress and performance, expecting gradual improvements throughout the season.
