F1 News, Reports and Race Results

McLaren aiming to finish 2023 F1 season as 'best of the rest'

McLaren will be challenged to capture the runner-up spot in F1's Constructors Championship but Zak Brown believes team papaya can finish its season as the second fastest team on the grid, or "best of the rest".

Red Bull and Max Verstappen's unshakeable supremacy have left the Milton Keynes-based outfit and its star driver in a league of their own, but behind the leading duo the battle is tight, with Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston Martin and McLaren trading places.

But Brown reckons that McLaren has the potential to end its 2023 campaign ahead of its direct rivals in terms of absolute performance.

"Red Bull are an incredible team," Brown told Austrian outlet Laola1.

"We try to get close to Max, but every time you think you’re close he pulls away. It’s impressive to watch him.

"To be the second fastest team at the end of the season, best of the rest, would be very satisfying. There’s still a long way to go, but we’re definitely back in the game."

Read also:

McLaren has already come a long way, having started its year on the back foot with an MCL60 car that had missed its development targets during its conception phase.

But the implementation of a comprehensive development plan coupled with a reorganization of its engineering department in Woking put the team back on the right path and eventually elevated its car to podium contender over the summer.

Lando Norris scored successive podiums at Silverstone and at the Hungaroring, while rookie Oscar Piastri claimed a remarkable P2 behind Verstappen in Spa's sprint event.

"There’s a lot of things playing together excellently," added Brown. "Our aerodynamics upgrades have been impressive. I take my hat off to that.

"The drivers are now showing their potential. They also did a very good job before, but now they can be even more convincing in the improved car.

"The first laps at Silverstone [where Norris led the field] were a highlight, my pulse went up again rapidly. It’s a shame that Oscar was denied a podium."

McLaren's productive efforts and those of its drivers have allowed the team to overhaul Alpine and seize fifth in the championship, 88 points behind fourth-placed team Ferrari.

The 2023 F1 season will resume next week with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, Verstappen's home race.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Williams' Boutsen hoists the mainsail in Adelaide

On this day in 1989, Williams' Thierry Boutsen secured his second F1 win when he…

5 mins ago

Horner: Max 'answered critics' with epic Sao Paulo GP drive

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory…

43 mins ago

Sainz left puzzled by double crash drama in rainy São Paulo

Carlos Sainz was left scratching his head after a disastrous Sunday at the Sao Paulo…

2 hours ago

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

3 hours ago

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

18 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

19 hours ago