An eleventh, a thirteenth place, and more than 60 seconds behind leader Max Verstappen. This is what McLaren achieved in Canada on the circuit last year Gilles Villeneuve. Today, one year later, McLaren returns to Canada with a victory and three second places in the last four races of the season. A truly positive treasure, the result of constant growth, which began at the end of 2023 and which aims to give the two riders all the necessary tools to achieve maximum results. Also in Canada, McLaren enters a three-way challenge for victory, but compared to past events, Lando Norris sees the competition, namely Red Bull and Ferrari, a step ahead.
Lando Norris and expectations for the Canadian GP
From Miami the championship seems to tell a different story. A story whose protagonist is no longer Red Bull but two teams, McLaren and Ferrari. The show has therefore passed into the hands of the antagonists, something that Red Bull doesn't like, much less Max Verstappen. In Canada the Austrian team fears not being able to return to victory, especially due to the difficulties on the curbs. Ferrari, instead he knows he has another important shot. After the test of strength in the streets of the Principality, the Maranello team wants to reaffirm itself and shorten the gap with Red Bull even further. Those who don't know what to expect are McLaren who have missed the podium in Montreal for many, too many years. This weekend the Woking team will have to defend themselves and stand out by trying to place themselves ahead of the two direct competitors on the occasions that count, using this track to develop the updated MCL38.
“I like racing in Montreal – says Lando Norris, it's a fun circuit with some challenging sections that make it more exciting. Our car has performed well on different types of circuits, but we know that in Canada we may have our work cut out for us. Our competitors will probably be very strong. It was nice to have a week of rest after the Imola-Monaco double-header. We achieved two podiums and many points for the team. I've had productive sessions with my engineers in the McLaren Technology Center and now I'm excited to see what we can achieve this weekend."
Piastri: “We hope to pick up where we left off”
If Norris had the upper hand in Miami and Imola, in Monaco the Englishman had to surrender to his teammate, Oscar Piastri. The Australian, in his second participation in the Monaco GP, placed himself in second position, managing to take a truly special podium. “Monaco was special. Getting a podium in Senna's colors on those roads was sensational. As a kid in Australia, Monaco was one of my dream races so it was nice to get a prize in one of the classic races,” he said Piastres which he now hopes to repeat in future events.
“I am satisfied with my riding level, especially with the consistency I have shown in the last three GPs. Progress is never linear, but I'm enjoying showing what I can do driving this car, with which the team has done an excellent job. I hope that in Canada we will be able to pick up where we left off, because the starting grid is very close: we want even more".
Source statements: FormulaPassion
