AMG.Tzan wrote: ↑05 Nov 2024, 09:26
Norris’s championship was pretty much lost after the first 5 races of the season! He lost around 30-40 points to Max there alone, even though Max had a DNF there…
The RB20 looked like it was even more of a rocketship than the RB19. Then the team and form imploded. If McLaren had the car to fight with Redbull at the start of the season? I think Oscar would have been in the mix for wins as much as Lando.
If McLaren had the form it has had after Miami (finishing close to Max or ahead of him) in these first 5 races he would have been much closer now and probably would have taken the championship to the final round!
That's why it's imperative they hit the ground running in 2025. You need to be at the front from the start, then you'd not be chasing either championship if you are winning consistently.
But in any case both Max and Red Bull have been the better combination throughout the year…experience of winning championships probably helps this too! Plus Norris isn’t still ready for a championship…maybe next year he’ll be a more rounded driver!
Without Max, I doubt Redbull would have scored as many points as they have. He's dragged performances out of a car that is a step backwards from the RB19. My only complaint against McLaren is in the indecision on the pit wall when it comes to making critical choices that can swing the result of a race. Hopefully the signing of somebody as experienced as Will Courtenay will help. But I don't think he starts until 2026 (usual gardening leave).
On the upside, as the regulations are staying stable McLaren should hit the ground running and it'll be the first car that Rob Marshall and others will have had a hand in designing. 2026 will be an interesting test for the McLaren technical structure, new chassis and engine regulations will be a tough challenge to get right.