P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren Formula 1 boss Andrea Stella believes that Lando Norris qualified ahead of both Ferrari drivers in Japan as one-lap
The Woking-based squad was expected to perform well at Suzuka due to the circuit’s high-speed nature suiting their evolved MCL38 challenger’s strengths. Despite Lando Norris securing third on the grid, McLaren lost out to Ferrari in the race with aggressive strategic choices. Team principal Stella emphasized McLaren did not make a mistake chasing the podium, with their finish reflecting the pace difference between the cars. Stella acknowledged McLaren’s weakness in slow-speed corners, which became more evident as tire degradation set in. He noted that Ferrari underperformed and McLaren overperformed in qualifying, attributing some success to the characteristics of the Soft tire. Stella admitted McLaren must outdevelop Ferrari to bridge the gap, highlighting the importance of a continuous upward trend in upgrades to stay competitive.
