Brown Denies That Norris’ Critique of McLaren F1 Was Discouraging

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Failing to meet its goals for the 2023 season due to issues with its launch car, McLaren implemented considerable changes within the organization under the leadership of newly-appointed team principal Andrea Stella.

Stella’s revamped technical team yielded immediate results, with Norris securing two podium finishes and his remarkable rookie teammate, Oscar Piastri, taking second place in the Saturday sprint at the Belgian Grand Prix, all before the summer break.

Norris had previously been forthright about the MCL60’s flaws, especially before the unveiling of its B-spec, continuing to describe it as a “pretty terrible” car to handle in low-speed corners. However, Brown has denied any allegations that his driver’s outspoken criticism was demoralizing for the team based in Woking.

“We’re all in this together, feeling joy and frustration alike. If he makes a comment, it aligns with our sentiment and serves as motivation,” Brown revealed in an exclusive interview with F1 Flow.com.

He continued, “We stay determined, fighting hard. Despite the season’s poor start, we knew there was significant development happening behind the scenes. The public may have perceived failure early on, but internally we knew things were going well, and the team managed it well.”

The team’s early 2023 struggles, marked by infrequent top-10 finishes and points in just three of the first eight races, weren’t as bleak as the 2017 low point when it grappled with lackluster Honda power units.

During the 2022 season, Brown realized that changes were necessary to prevent the team from becoming stuck mid-grid, but it was already too late to correct course before 2023. McLaren openly admitted at its season launch that it had fallen behind where it needed to be.

Brown explained, “We never hit rock bottom again. It was just a speed bump, which I felt last year. We needed to face the reality because we knew what we would encounter 30 days later. We were transparent, as the data showed we were off track.”

However, the turnaround became apparent in Austria and Silverstone, boosting the team’s confidence as the data translated into on-track performance, whether positive or negative.

Now comfortably sitting fifth in the standings as the season moves into its second half, McLaren has successfully challenged major rivals like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin in recent races.

The team’s focus is now on developing a low-drag wing to enhance competitiveness at Monza, following struggles with top speed at Spa.

Additional Reads:

  • Why McLaren F1 Didn’t Solve Its High Drag Issue Sooner
  • Complaint Filed by Dutch Health Organizations Over McLaren F1’s Nicotine Branding
  • Lando Norris Expresses “Relief” at McLaren F1’s Progress

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: McLaren F1

What were the changes made within McLaren led by Andrea Stella?

Andrea Stella’s revamped technical structure was implemented within McLaren, bringing immediate results in the form of podium finishes and significant improvement on the track.

How has Lando Norris described the MCL60’s performance?

Norris has been outspoken about the MCL60’s deficiencies, describing it as a “pretty terrible” car to drive in low-speed corners, particularly before the introduction of its B-spec.

Did Norris’ criticism demotivate the McLaren team?

According to team executive Brown, Norris’ criticism did not demotivate the team. Brown refuted any suggestions of demoralization and stated that the comments were consistent and motivating for the team.

What is McLaren’s current standing and what are they prioritizing next?

McLaren’s resurgence has put them comfortably fifth in the standings, challenging other top teams. They are prioritizing the development of a low-drag wing to be more competitive at Monza.

Why didn’t McLaren address its high drag problem sooner?

The text does not specifically detail why McLaren did not address its high drag problem sooner, though it does mention the team’s realization of the need for changes and its subsequent technical progress.

More about fokus keyword: McLaren F1

  • McLaren’s Official Website
  • F1 Flow – Exclusive Interview with Brown
  • Lando Norris’ Profile on Formula 1
  • Belgian Grand Prix Results
  • Technical Analysis of McLaren’s 2023 Car
  • Monza Circuit Information

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5 comments

RacingRob August 20, 2023 - 12:18 pm

norris is right the car looks pretty bad in slow corners. Good to see they’re all motivated though! keep pushing!

Reply
Tech_Guru August 20, 2023 - 8:04 pm

Stella’s done wonders with the techical side. The new wing sounds interesting, wish there were more details about it though.

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James42 August 20, 2023 - 10:14 pm

Great to see McLaren fighting back, never count them out! Go Norris! What a rookie season for Piastri too, im impressed

Reply
F1Fanatic August 20, 2023 - 10:39 pm

Brown’s always so optimistic, he’s got vision. Hope the team gets back to winning, they deserve it, theyve worked hard

Reply
Sally_M August 21, 2023 - 4:50 am

I love how transparent Brown is, it’s refreshing. Can’t wait to see what they do in Monza, especially with that low-drag wing!

Reply

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