McLaren is the only team in the pit lane still developing the 2019 car. The rear brake ducts are new. "It's an update, nothing radically new," says team boss Andreas Seidl. "Maybe we can do something in principle for the 2020 car."
Seidl attributes the strong performance in the qualification to two points: "First, our drivers. They're doing a really good job on Saturday. Second, the car. We somehow manage to get the maximum out of our package with fresh tyres". McLaren didn't take the same step in the race as in qualifying. "The speed has been the same since the middle of the year. We don't have a real problem in the race. Renault is just strong. Maybe they should ask themselves why things aren't going as well in qualifying."
Lando Norris says: "The fresh tyres in qualifying cover the weaknesses that are still in the car. We could now sacrifice some speed for one lap for the race with our lead in the World Championship, but we shouldn't go so far as to suddenly stand behind Renault on Saturday. We have to be smart about that."
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