Andres Seidl is satisfied with McLaren's forward progression on the back of its outstanding performances at Monza and Sochi, but insists the papaya squad still has "deficits in all areas" relative to F1's top teams.
In Russia last weekend, Lando Norris was three laps away from delivering a sensational follow-up win to Daniel Ricciardo's amazing triumph in the Italian Grand Prix two weeks earlier.
Alas, the elements rained on Norris and McLaren's potential victory parade. But the remarkable performance was another clear indication that the Woking-based outfit is on a forward march.
Yet, Seidl is keeping it real, insisting his team still has a long road ahead before it becomes a consistent contender at the front of the grid.
"We are building this up together, we are learning from the mistakes that are happening, and I think that’s what you see in terms of results," the German said, quoted by Motorsport Week.
"We’re in a better position to – I don’t want to say too much – but we’ve had a great run of reliability, which is key in being able to score these points all the time, from the car side.
Andreas Seidl with McLaren performance director Andrea Stella.
"I think we – in spite of what happened at the end of the race – we have a race team that is sometimes spot on with the strategy, with tyres calls during the race, so I am very happy with the progress we are making.
"But, of course, in terms of the teams that are ahead of us in the championship, we still have deficits in I would say all areas, and that’s why it’s important after a weekend like in Monza or the pole position, the first thing you have to do is analyse what you could have done better because there’s always something you could have done better.
"The moment you are satisfied with what you have achieved is the start of the decline so that’s how we approach it."
Read also: Russian GP bust will make Norris and McLaren stronger - Seidl
McLaren's resurgence and advancements are unfolding within a carefully devised and all-encompassing plan set out by Seidl who has been at the helm of the team since the spring of 2019.
And the project involves strengthening all aspects of the outfit's organization.
"As I said several times, I see us simply being in the middle of a journey, getting back to the front in Formula 1," he said.
"We have a clear plan in place of what we need to make in terms of what steps, on the infrastructure side, organisational side, cultural side in order to make these next steps, in order to battle the teams in front of us at each race weekend.
"It’s important in this sport to keep the respect up of all the competitors as well and simply keep learning and again with everything I keep seeing in the team.
"I’m very happy, very confident that once we have everything in place that we need on our journey, we’ll be in a position to fight Red Bull and Mercedes again regularly.
"And obviously it’s great to see that already now occasionally depending on the tracks as well, we are able to fight for pole positions and for the race win."
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