Sainz: Impact of Seidl's leadership at McLaren will take years

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Carlos Sainz says McLaren F1 boss Andreas Seidl will soon start to have a big influence on the Woking-based outfit, but the true effects of the German's presence may not be felt for years.

Seidl, who spearheaded for several years Porsche's massively successful LMP1 programme, joined McLaren earlier this year and has been given a free reign to manage the team as he sees fit by CEO Zak Brown.

After a dismal period of under-performance, marked by its failed partnership with Honda, McLaren is finally enjoying a resurgence of sorts this year.

But Sainz reiterated his belief that the team's current P4 position in the Constructors' standings is a result of the development work that took place in the back-end of last season rather than an effect of the team's recent structural changes.

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"I think the credit for this year’s car is mainly due to what happened last year," Sainz said.

"All the development that happened during that second half of the season, where the team basically decided to stop developing the 2018 car to try and understand why the 2018 car was so poor.

"The job done, obviously in the early months of this winter, going into March, the job of Andreas, what he’s doing very well now is doing a whole analysis of the situation that we are in in the factory.

"Especially back in Woking and he’s just having an overlook and have a very good look into what can be improved and it’s more a midterm to a long-term project."

©McLaren

Sainz believes McLaren will soon start to reap the benefits of Seidl's input, but the effects of more significant changes likely won't be felt for another few years.

"I think he’s quite advanced and he’s going to start having a very big influence in the upcoming months but you need to give him time," the Spaniard said.

"I think when there is an environment of six hundred to eight hundred people like we are in McLaren at the moment, to notice any kind of change you need years, to feel the change and that’s going to take time for sure."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.