McLaren vow to "come back strong" after end to scoring streak

Ricciardo in Hungary — Photo: © LAT Images

Hungarian Grand Prix

McLaren vow to "come back strong" after end to scoring streak

McLaren has dropped to fourth in the constructors' standings

Sam Hall

Thursday 5 August 2021 11:49 Updated: 11:56

Andreas Seid has vowed McLaren "we will come back strong" following the F1 team's first point-less race in 18 grands prix.

McLaren duo Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo were both victims of the turn one mayhem in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix after errors from Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll in his Aston Martin.

It marked the first time McLaren had failed to come away from an event with a point since last September's Russian Grand Prix, while it also ended Norris' record team run of 15 successive scoring races.

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Due to Bottas and Red Bull's Sergio Perez also failing to finish in the top 10 at the Hungaroring, Norris at least remains third in the drivers' championship, but McLaren has slipped to fourth in the constructors' behind Ferrari on countback.

Asked what he had said to Norris in the immediate aftermath, Seidl joked: “I can’t say that in public!"

He then explained: “In the end, it is part of racing. We all know that.

"Weekends like that happen and the most important thing is to not get too frustrated or disappointed by it because that doesn’t help you moving forward.

“I know we will come back strong again, and try to keep this battle alive for P3 in the championships.”

Ricciardo damage an opportunity missed

After avoiding the initial incident at turn one involving Norris, Bottas, Perez and Max Verstappen in his Red Bull, Ricciardo emerged second behind only Lewis Hamilton before Stroll ran into Charles Leclerc's Ferrari who in turn hit the Australian.

With Esteban Ocon and Alpine capitalising to score a maiden victory, Seidl was left frustrated McLaren had missed out in such a crazy race.

“It’s just disappointing but you can’t do anything about it," added Seidl.

"Disappointment doesn’t bring you anything so we just have to accept it that these things can happen.

“We know we have a strong car, we have a strong team, we have two strong drivers and with this combination, we have everything in our hands to have a good second half of the season.

"That is what we are focusing on."