McLaren says it must be realistic with its ambitions for 2021, when it re-aligns itself with Mercedes, cautioning that it still faces a substantial gap to the front-runners.
McLaren has not won a race since 2012 while its most recent podium came in the season-opening round of 2014, which marked the start of the hybrid era.
Having slumped to ninth in 2015 and 2017 – when it was powered by Honda – and taken a dispiriting sixth last year, having expected more from its first year with Renault, it has made gains in 2019.
New recruit Carlos Sainz Jr. and rookie Lando Norris have ensured McLaren has surpassed the 100-point barrier for the first time since 2014, while it is poised to finish fourth in the Constructors’ standings.
Its switch from Renault to Mercedes power is a next step in its long-term recovery plan but boss Andreas Seidl has warned that it must not be overly ambitious too early into the programme.
“No, definitely not,” said Seidl when asked whether challenging Mercedes in 2021 was realistic.
“I think we need to be realistic. For us let’s say the next target is to make the next step next year.
“Hopefully we can jump somewhere in terms of performance and lap times between where we are now and the top teams, that would be a great step forward for next year.
“For 2021 onwards the new regulations are kicking in, but we need to be realistic, there’s still let’s say a lot of front-loading possible.
“The three top teams are not just there because of having more money, they simply do a better job also, and they will keep doing a better job, so for us it’s important make sure we take the next steps as a team to do simply a better job.
“Then it’s important that we all have the same resources, so it’s important to have the budget cap from 21 onwards, but it will still take time until it washes out and we actually all get to hopefully the same level playing field at some point.
“If we get everything right on our side, and keep working hard, we hopefully can challenge them at some point.”
Seidl also stressed that McLaren will not wane in its efforts with Renault until the conclusion of its partnership at the end of 2020.
“It’s important to reiterate again, it’s still one and a half years away, this cooperation, our focus now is to finish off this season and to do a good next season together with Renault,” he said.
“We have still a great relationship with Renault, Renault is one of the reasons why we have this performance also this year, they made a great step, we have a good relationship with Cyril [Abiteboul] and the guys at Viry.
“For us it was important to make this decision and announce it, again it helps me inside the team to have clarity, which makes sure as a team we are focused on our main mission, which is to become a better team and produce a better race car.”
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