McLaren Formula 1 boss Andrea Stella states it would be “unrealistic” to think Lando Norris’ win in the Miami Grand Prix now shows it has a quicker car than Red Bull.
The Woking-based squad introduced several new developments at the Miami International Autodrome that helped inspire Norris to end his elusive wait for an F1 win.
However, the Briton had been running sixth in the first stint until he then capitalised on a mid-race Safety Car to make his sole pit stop and remain in his inherited lead.
Norris would scamper clear on the restart to open up a 7.6-second margin, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko adamant that McLaren possessed the faster package.
But Stella has denied that is guaranteed to translate to upcoming circuits, alluding to the problems Max Verstappen had with a wounded RB20 and suboptimal set-up.
“I think yes, we improved the car,” Stella said. “Like, we know on the numbers how much we improved it. And it’s material. You should see it in lap time.
“But I think this race for Red Bull, it was a bit of a struggle.
“So, before we say the pace we saw today is a representation of the future, I’m not going to put my signature on this statement.”
Nevertheless, Stella asserts that Norris’ breakthrough result at the 110th attempt will provide encouragement to the team to accelerate future upgrades to the MCL38.
However, the Italian, 53, has cautioned that McLaren must replicate its recent raft of updates to be in a place where it can be a regular challenger to Red Bull this term.
“We take this positive; we take this encouragement,” he continued. “If anything, it’s even more energy to develop, possibly even faster than what we are doing.
“But in my view, if you want to fight consistently Red Bull, we need to deliver another package like the one that we have delivered here.
“Because like before, in Japan we were six-tenths away in qualifying of Red Bull. In China, again, we were like a few tenths away.
“So it would be completely unrealistic to think that what we have seen here is the updated picture of competitiveness. I think here Red Bull sort of didn’t get the most out of their package.”
