Are McLaren Admitting Defeat Already?
While the fight at the front was the highlight of 2021, the midfield featured a few close battles as well. McLaren almost clinched third-placed before a resurgent Ferrari denied them with a strong second half of the season. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has now spoken to Gulf Business regarding the team’s modest expectations for 2022
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I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World:
Are McLaren Admitting Defeat Already?
Brown started by suggesting that they have to keep their expectations real despite picking up their first win during the hybrid era last year
“I think it’s great we won our first race [in 2021]. We need to be careful not to raise expectations to an unrealistic level”
“I don’t want to say our goal in 2022 is to win two [races] – our goal is to continue to get closer to the front of the field”
He then clarified why they have to temper their expectations
“Of course, we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. But we still have a couple of years of technical catch-up that we just can’t accelerate any further or faster than we are”
He signed off by distancing the team from talks of fighting for the championship
“We still have technical infrastructure that we’re catching up on, most notably our windtunnel. I’m not going into [2022] thinking we’re going to be a championship contender”
Fast Feed
Mercedes driver George Russell, during his first visit to the team’s chassis and engine factory, felt “very special to see what’s involved in giving [the drivers] such a fantastic car” [Mercedes AMG F1]
“I think all that hard work is underappreciated. Most people only see the final product on the track”
“They have no idea how much goes on behind the scenes. It’s really eye-opening”
For reigning world champion Max Verstappen “it’s great to be nominated for [the Laureus award for Sportsman of the Year 2021] award after the intense Formula 1 2021 season” [Personal Blog]
“Also a big thanks to my fans for supporting me, it’s really great to see the Orange Army all over the world”
AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda “had to train a lot especially on the neck” [Formula Rapida]
“But I stuck to what I was already doing or just a little bit more”
“We also need to take enough rest and recharge for 2022”
Other F1 drivers recognizing Mick Schumacher gives him “a boost for this year, to hopefully show it with a faster car” [Sky Italia]
“Of course that also depends on what happens with Haas this year. If I do well, hopefully next year will go in the right direction”
From 2022, drivers will receive a grid penalty only after five reprimands instead of the current three [Auto Motor und Sport]
Of these, four reprimands have to be for driving related violations
Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna feels that “the 2021 Formula 1 season has shown encouraging signs towards the end, with third place in the Constructors’ Championship” [Sky Italia]
Will George Russell be able to bring the fight to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes?