The 2024 McLaren F1 team began the F1 season with high hopes and a solid foundation.
The 2024 McLaren F1 car, the MCL38, has taken center stage as McLaren’s 2024 challenger, with their driver lineup of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. McLaren’s focus for 2024 is on development, with the team continuously working on upgrades in key areas to address any weaknesses. Here’s a recap of Team McLaren in the 2024 F1 season so far. Stay connected on Instagram: @mclarenhou.
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2024 McLaren F1 Drivers
The McLaren F1 team continues to field a formidable and promising driver lineup with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri steering the charge. Lando Norris, having been with McLaren since his debut in F1, enters his sixth season, bringing not only talent but also experience and a deep understanding of the team’s ambitions and machinery. Norris has consistently demonstrated his capability to challenge at the front of the pack, aiming to capitalize on the momentum gained from the previous season.
Oscar Piastri, the Australian rookie who made his debut in 2023, quickly proved his mettle by securing impressive finishes, including podiums and a sprint race victory. His transition to McLaren has been smooth, showing that he can adapt quickly and deliver strong performances. Piastri’s rookie year successes have set high expectations for his contribution to the team’s efforts in the 2024 season.
McLaren Livery: MCL38
The 2024 McLaren F1 car, the MCL38, represents a significant step forward for the McLaren team, underlining their commitment to returning to the forefront of Formula 1 competition. Revealed with a striking livery that emphasizes McLaren’s iconic papaya color scheme, complemented by anthracite and chrome accents, the MCL38 carries the hopes of the team and its passionate fans into the 2024 F1 season. This year’s challenger is the product of intense development, incorporating advanced aerodynamics and innovative engineering solutions aimed at enhancing performance. The MCL38’s development has been a collaborative effort, reflecting McLaren’s strategy to combine the best of technology, people, and passion to challenge the grid’s front-runners.
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Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
The 2024 Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix marked a noteworthy event for Team McLaren, showcasing a blend of promising talent and solid team strategy under the floodlit Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Both McLaren drivers maintained their positions at the start, with Oscar Piastri making an early move on Fernando Alonso to capture P4. The race dynamics shifted when Lance Stroll crashed into the wall, bringing out the Safety Car. During this period, Oscar pitted for hard tires, while Lando Norris opted to stay out on mediums, shuffling the order and placing Lando in P1 and Oscar in P6.
Upon the restart, Lando initially held off Max Verstappen but was eventually overtaken with the assistance of DRS a few laps later. On lap 18, Lando found himself losing positions to Sergio Perez and then Charles Leclerc, which dropped him down to P4. Meanwhile, Oscar faced his own battle, getting stuck behind Lewis Hamilton and unable to pass until Hamilton pitted.
A pivotal moment came on Lap 37 when Lando pitted for soft tires. This decision put him under immense pressure from Hamilton until the final lap, but he successfully defended his position. Ultimately, the race concluded with Oscar finishing in a commendable P4, while Lando crossed the line in P8.
McLaren’s collective efforts in Jeddah contributes to their standing in the early phase of the 2024 season, placing them third in the constructors’ championship with a total of 28 points, following Red Bull and Ferrari, highlighting the team’s ambitions and the potential for further successes as the season progresses.
McLaren F1: Australian Grand Prix
McLaren showcased a strong performance at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri maintaining their P3 and P5 positions as the race started. The early retirement of Max Verstappen from second place due to mechanical issues promoted Lando to second and Oscar to third, setting a positive trajectory for the team. Oscar’s strategy to switch to Hard tires on Lap 9, followed by Lando’s similar tire change on lap 14, put him in fourth behind Oscar.
As the race progressed, tire management became crucial. Oscar started to struggle with tire wear, which led to a strategic swap of positions with Lando, demonstrating the team’s dynamic strategy and teamwork. Oscar’s second pit stop on Lap 39 for another set of Hards saw him rejoining behind Alonso in fifth, while Lando’s stop a lap later positioned him to challenge for a podium finish.
Lando’s persistence paid off as he clinched third place at the race’s conclusion, marking McLaren’s first podium of the season and their best finish in Australia in a decade. Meanwhile, Oscar’s consistent performance allowed him to secure fourth place, his best finish in Australia thus far.
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Up next in the F1 2024 Schedule
Date | Grand Prix | Venue |
April 5-7 | Japan | Suzuka |
April 19-21 | China | Shanghai |
May 3-5 | Miami | Miami |
May 17-19 | Emilia Romagna | Imola |
May 24-26 | Monaco | Monaco |
June 7-9 | Canada | Montreal |
June 21-23 | Spain | Barcelona |
June 28-30 | Austria | Spielberg |
July 5-7 | United Kingdom | Silverstone |
July 19-21 | Hungary | Budapest |
July 26-28 | Belgium | Spa |
August 23-25 | Netherlands | Zandvoort |
August 30 – September 1 | Italy | Monza |
September 13-15 | Azerbaijan | Baku |
September 20-22 | Singapore | Singapure |
October 18-20 | USA | Austin |
October 25-27 | Mexico | México City |
November 1-3 | Brazil | Sao Paulo |
November 21-23 | Las Vegas | Las Vegas |
November 29 – December 1 | Qatar | Lusail |
December 6-8 | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina |
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