Miami, Fla. – The 2024 Miami Grand Prix has kicked off an exciting journey for McLaren.
The team introduced a significant upgrade for the MCL38, and it quickly paid off as Lando Norris clinched his first Grand Prix win last May. This victory has energized McLaren’s championship campaign, and as the team heads back to Miami for this year’s Grand Prix, they find themselves leading the Constructors’ Championship, with one of their drivers also at the forefront of the driver’s championship race.
That’s Oscar Piastri.
Norris started the season as a strong contender for the driver’s title, even winning the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, but now it’s all about Piastri. With three wins already to his name, Piastri has become the new favorite, arriving in Miami as the driver to beat.
In a media session on Thursday, Piastri shared some thoughts about this year’s car, his impressive start to the season, and what he’s currently proud of.
“I think this car is definitely an evolution from what we had last year, though there are a few different aspects,” Piastri remarked, reflecting on their Challenger. “From my perspective, I feel like I’ve taken a real step forward.”
“I haven’t discovered specific details since last year; I’m working to find those last few hundredths of a second. I think that’s been a crucial aspect so far,” he continued. “I’ve still lost some pole positions by minuscule margins. I’m digging deeper into what I need to improve, but it feels like a significant difference up to this point.”
“We’re still working on a few things as a team. The car is fast, but finding consistent pace is a bit tricky, which mirrors what we faced last year.”
Piastri elaborated on how Miami feels different in 2024 compared to last year, emphasizing that McLaren has a “completely different vibe” this time around.
When asked about leading the driver’s championship, Piastri chose to emphasize the reasons behind his success rather than just the fact that he’s at the top.
Piastri definitely stands out as the only driver with three Grand Prix wins this year. Yet, he highlights how each victory has been unique, adding depth to his and the team’s prospects for the season.
The 2024 Miami Grand Prix has officially kicked off McLaren’s Constructors Championship journey.
Will Piastri and the team maintain their championship push?
More details will emerge later today as the F1 Sprint Qualifiers get underway.
SB Nation will be on-site throughout the Miami Grand Prix, so stay tuned for updates this week.
