McLaren Formula 1 boss Andrea Stella has revealed that the team has gained more from the updates that it introduced in Miami than the simulations had suggested.
The Woking-based squad introduced a considerable upgrade package at the previous round, which helped inspire Lando Norris to achieve his maiden Grand Prix win.
Oscar Piastri has since received the remaining revised parts that he was missing, and the McLaren pairing thrived around Imola as the two qualified second and third.
Both drivers ended inside a tenth behind Max Verstappen’s pole position lap time, although Piastri has been demoted three places due to impeding Kevin Magnussen.
Despite Norris being convinced the developments would perform even stronger this weekend, Stella has admitted that the side’s progress has exceeded expectations.
“From a competitiveness point of view, I have to say we are quite happy with what we see. We would have not expected to be this close to Red Bull,” Stella said.
“It means that definitely the upgrades delivered lap time, because before the upgrades, we were tenths off Red Bull. Like Japan, we were six-tenths.
“A little closer in China, but still a bit off, at least on a single lap. So, we have improved from a lap time point of view.
“We know what the simulation would say in terms of how much the upgrades would deliver. I think on track, once again, we seem to find slightly more.
“It’s almost like you have, you know, an extra premium once you get your car to work better.”
Verstappen had been struggling across practice with his Red Bull car’s balance, but some set-up alterations and a tow from Nico Hulkenberg helped him storm to pole.
But while he conceded the top-speed boost could have made the difference at the top, Stella also pointed out how other factors can dictate a battle with tight margins.
“You know, a tow in a track with this characteristic can happen,” he acknowledged.
“He was a little lucky there. I think he also had a mistake in the final corner, too. So Verstappen was in condition to score a pole position today.
“The gaps are so close that it could have been a matter not necessarily and only of car performance and driver’s merit.
“It could have been a function of little things here and there, a gust of wind or finding the right tow at the right time.
“He could benefit from there, but I think this doesn’t detract from the fact that I think he deserves to be in pole position.
“At the same time, we were in condition to be in pole position. But when the gaps are so close, there are many factors at play.”
Stella is also not discounting Ferrari from the contest for the race win, with the Italian marque having topped two practice hours and shown an encouraging race pace.
“In general, we hope and we would like never to find ourselves in a condition where we roll the dice,” Stella previewed.
“It’s like we try to use some logical consideration and strategic consideration to see what’s the best approach to maximise the result.
“We have to say that the run to corner two here is one of the longest of the season. So, not necessarily the position on the grid will be the position, let’s say, at the end of lap one. We will see.
“In general, there’s some strategic options, because the hard tyres can go relatively long.
“So you can stop early and go for a long run and try to work with the undercut. Or you may stop later and then you might have to overtake some people but with fresher tyres.
“So, there’s a few options. We will see.
“But the most important thing is to have the pace, to be in condition to deploy these options, I would say.
“And then we will see tomorrow based on how the race unfolds.
“I still think that Ferrari are very competitive. Some of the lap times, especially Leclerc put together in free practice in his long run, to us look quite impressive.
“So, if he materialises those lap times, we will not only have to look at Verstappen, we will definitely have to think of Ferrari as well.”
