P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Why Qatar should be McLaren’s best chance of winning in 2023
The Losail circuit in Qatar is ideal for McLaren’s car, with its high-speed, sweeping corners that favor their performance. They are expected to be ahead of Ferrari and Mercedes in the fight for second place behind Red Bull. However, their proximity to Max Verstappen and Red Bull remains uncertain, as McLaren tends to struggle in low-speed corners. The sprint format of the weekend could work in McLaren’s favor, as seen with Mercedes defeating Red Bull in the past. Verstappen only needs to finish sixth in the sprint to secure the championship title on Saturday. Liam Lawson’s time in F1 is likely to end until 2025, as Daniel Ricciardo is set to return from injury. Despite Lawson’s impressive performances, AlphaTauri chose to retain Tsunoda, and new CEO Peter Bayer prioritized experience by giving Ricciardo a full season. There is still uncertainty about Logan Sargeant’s place in Williams, presenting Lawson with one final opportunity to impress this weekend.
Source: Crash
