McLaren on guard as Aston Martin threaten late-season comeback

Aston Martin, after a dazzling start to the Formula 1 season, hit a speed bump post-summer break, allowing McLaren to surge ahead as the second-fastest team behind Red Bull. McLaren's impressive performance, securing seven podium finishes in the last six races, including a victory in the Qatar Sprint by Oscar Piastri, propelled them up the championship table.

However, in a surprising twist at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the AMR23 from Aston Martin roared back to life. Fernando Alonso claimed a podium finish in third place, with Lance Stroll securing fifth – their second-best result of the season after a strong showing in Australia.

This stellar performance earned Aston Martin 25 crucial points, surpassing McLaren's tally for the race. Despite Lando Norris's second place and fastest lap, McLaren's lead has now been trimmed to a mere 19 points with just the Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remaining.

Acknowledging the shift in momentum, team principal Stella emphasized the need for caution: "On our side, we do have to acknowledge that Aston seems to be back to the place they had to start the season. For us, it is a consideration in the championship, and we need to be very wary that they can score strong points in the last few races."

Stella also delved into the technical aspects, pinpointing where McLaren's MCL60 package lags behind the leading Red Bull RB19. He highlighted the critical factor of lap time on used tires, revealing that despite improvements since the Singapore upgrade, McLaren struggles to match Red Bull's tire degradation performance.

"In terms of lap time on used tyres, it would appear like Max and Red Bull, they just have less degradation. If you can limit that, after 10 laps in a stint, it is tenths of a second, so that is where they are superior at the moment."

Expressing surprise at the absence of Mercedes in the mix during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Stella outlined that McLaren's challenge lies in tire management, an area where they have made progress but still fall short of the competition.

As the Formula 1 circus moves to the new Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for November 16-18, the pressure intensifies. The 14-turn street circuit promises breathtaking speeds, rivalling the legendary Monza. 

For McLaren, it's not just about speed but navigating the twists and turns of competition in the quest for championship glory. The stakes are high, and every point matters as the season hurtles towards its climax.

 

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