In the F1 Nation Podcast, Damon Hill, Pedro De La Rosa, Natalie Pinkham, and Tom Clarkson were sharing their insights ahead of the upcoming race season.
Hill expressed concern about the feedback he’d received regarding Piastri’s performance during testing. He mentioned McLaren’s hopes of maintaining their strong finish from 2023.
“McLaren will be hoping that they can continue their fantastic form from the end of 2023 into this year,” Hill stated.
Reflecting on Norris’s impressive performance, Hill noted, “Only Max Verstappen outscored Lando Norris after they brought their upgrades to Austria, and aside from a few issues in qualifying, he was outstanding.”
READ: Lewis Hamilton breaks silence on 2024 Red Bull F1 car
Norris’s competitive edge seemed to be sharpened by newcomer Oscar Piastri, who made a notable impression on the grid.
Piastri’s performance in the Qatar Sprint Race garnered praise, with Ralf Schumacher remarking that he “never makes a mistake.”
Despite McLaren’s improved position compared to a year ago, not all their issues have been resolved.
Regarding McLaren’s car, De La Rosa commented, “It didn’t look like an easy car to drive out there.”
He observed the drivers struggling through corners, particularly noting Piastri’s challenges during short runs.
READ: Red Bull to reveal Christian Horner punishment before 2024 Bahrain GP
Responding to De La Rosa’s observations, Hill expressed further apprehension: “Not that is a bit worrying.”
While McLaren aims for a competitive edge with unique car parts, their historical performance at the Bahrain circuit hasn’t been stellar, with a double DNF in 2004 and no victories.
Hill suggested it would be more sensible to assess McLaren’s standing relative to their rivals after the initial five races, considering their tendency to introduce upgrades mid-season.