How McLaren plan to keep F1 battle with Ferrari "alive"

McLaren

How McLaren plan to keep F1 battle with Ferrari "alive"

McLaren and Ferrari are fighting for third in constructors' standings

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Tuesday 11 May 2021 10:45

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Andreas Seidl believes it vital McLaren leave no stone unturned in the development of its current car if it is to keep "alive" its battle with old rival Ferrari.

For the first time in four races this season, Ferrari outscored McLaren as its improved pace across the Spanish Grand Prix weekend allowed Charles Leclerc to finish 'best of the rest' behind podium trio Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas.

The result helped Ferrari to close the gap to McLaren in the constructors' standings to five points between the two teams that are so far in a battle of their own for third behind the frontrunning pair of Mercedes and Red Bull.

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With Ferrari now 90 to 95 per cent focused on its 2022 car, according to team principal Mattia Binotto, McLaren counterpart Seidl is pressing ahead with upgrades on the MCL35M.

“It is good to see the battle we are in, especially with Ferrari," said Seidl. "It is simply important we keep bringing upgrades to the car in the next races in order to keep this battle for P3 alive.

"It is good we are still in this P3 despite us struggling over the weekend compared to them but we are expecting a season-long battle with them.”

With Leclerc fourth and team-mate Carlos Sainz seventh, the Scuderia collected 18 points to the 12 of McLaren as Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris managed sixth and eighth respectively.

Despite the dropped points, Seidl was characteristically upbeat about the weekend's result, and far from surprised by Ferrari's upturn in form. “If you look at our weekend, if you start seventh and ninth in Barcelona and you finish sixth and eighth and none of the cars in front of you has an issue, you need to be happy," added Seidl.

"So I am happy with the outcome of the race that we could score 12 important points.

“At the same time, we need to acknowledge that Ferrari was simply stronger than us which was not a surprise.

"They had a good car all year and we knew about their strength on a track like this with this track layout, therefore, I am happy with the race."