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McLaren not with major update in Imola

McLaren team boss reveals: 'Big updates in Canada and Silverstone'

15 May 2023 at 13:02
Last update 15 May 2023 at 14:54
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  • Toby McLuskie

McLaren may be fifth in the constructors' championship, the place where the British formation finished in 2022, yet it is faring much less well this season. The top teams have a much bigger lead and Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are more often driving at the back, rather than in the sub-top. The first major updates won't follow for a good month.

The kick-off of the European season in Imola next week means the introduction of the first real updates for many formations. Many teams seem to come with the necessary new parts, but not for McLaren. The team of CEO Zak Brown and team boss Andrea Stella will only come out with major updates later in the season.

"What is coming in Imola was developed a month or two ago. We will bring a few small things. But those are not enough to score points again regularly," Stella says in conversation with Auto, Motor und Sport. The 52-year-old Italian that the major update will be split into two races: Canada and Silverstone. The GP weekend in Austria will be skipped as that is a sprint race weekend. With only one free practice session, there is not enough time to properly test the new parts.

Brown also previously expressed confidence in the new updates. In the press conference at the Miami Grand Prix, the American explained that some things were changed on the organisational side last winter and that should pay off with the upcoming changes. "The upgrades that are going to come now are going to ensure that we start to see the work of the new structure we have put in place."

View at McLaren at Imola