Carlos Sainz: “McLaren is the strongest team in F1 at the moment”
Carlos Sainz is impressed by McLaren's performance and meteoric rise this season. He feels that they are not appreciated for their true worth.
At a press conference on Thursday, Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo both shared their views on McLaren’s remarkable evolution, which, after years of difficulties, now seems able to compete for the championship.
« If you look at where McLaren was a year and a half ago and where they are now, it’s something admirable », said Carlos Sainz. « They have developed the car, the team, and have put themselves in a position to even consider fighting for the championship.
For Sainz, the team’s meteoric rise is all the more impressive as it has been achieved with continuous development and a well-defined strategy. Whether they win by seven points or not, these could well be elsewhere, not just in the Hungary event. Maybe they started the season further back than they wanted to, he added.
Andrea Stella, a pillar of success
Sainz also praised the leadership of Andrea Stella, believing that the management of the team by the latter has been a key element of success. « I greatly admire Andrea Stella, the way he manages the team, the way he handles every situation, how calm everything seems at McLaren », he stated.
For the Spanish, the stability and apparent tranquility within the team, despite external pressures, have played a crucial role. « Even if you push them to fight for greater things, I think they are on the right track and are currently the strongest team in Formula 1. »
Regarding discussions about McLaren’s potential to win the championship, Daniel Ricciardo shared his thoughts on the team’s internal dynamics. “It’s difficult, because in this case, we’re talking about Lando and Oscar. If Lando stays ahead and it fractures the relationship, not only with the team, but also with your teammate, Oscar, it becomes complex,” explained Ricciardo.
« There are not three races remaining. Half of the season still remains, he continued. « There will be times when Lando may need to rely on Oscar. And if you break that down with another half of the season to play, I think that’s where it gets difficult.
Ricciardo, who has had his own ups and downs with McLaren, said that most of my time there has been more of a struggle or a challenge.
A surprising change of direction
For Daniel Ricciardo, the speed with which McLaren has become a dominant force is both surprising and impressive. In less than two years, they are probably currently the fastest package on the grid, he observed. I’m not going to say I predicted this, because I don’t think I did.
« It’s not like I’m saying, ‘Oh, if only I had that,’ added Ricciardo. « It’s the sport, that’s how it is. And as Carlos said, you have to tip your hat to them. Anyone in this sport who does well, improves and makes such a big leap in such a short time, deserves to be complimented. »
Carlos Sainz, for his part, expressed his admiration for the progress made by McLaren. “When I left McLaren four years ago, I had the feeling that the team was heading in the right direction,” he recalled. “I left with the feeling that it might just be a matter of time – two years, four years, six years – to become McLaren again, with all the success they have had in their history.”
« They had the right people at the time to lead this team back to the front of the pack again,” he concluded. « It took three to four years since I left, and especially this past year, they showed their true strength and the great strides that were made in a very short amount of time, but very, very significant. And as Daniel said, hats off to them. »
