The spotlight also goes out on the last race of this 2023 Formula One season. In this last race of ups and downs, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri managed to collect a fifth and sixth place. The last days of school in Formula One have always represented the moment to take stock of a season that has now come to an end. Let’s see what happened in this last race weekend.
McLaren qualifying
Lando Norris had to face several difficulties on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. Also thanks to the great competitiveness of McLaren, which is extremely difficult to manage. In fact, he had pole position in his grasp with a few corners to go, before a crossbar threw everything away. Something that cost him very dearly. And with that, he found himself holding onto a fifth position. Here, visibly bitter and sad, Norris commented on his mistake, also recalling other times in which a similar dynamic had arisen. In both Q1 and Q2, he managed to set some of his best laps. Very disappointed therefore to have missed the opportunity to obtain a pole position. Although, at McLaren they were aware that, even without the mistake, Norris would not have managed to get pole.
Other problems that compromised the qualification
In addition to the mistake made by Lando Norris, the MCL60 paid for the poor efficiency with open DRS. Also thanks to a winger that comes from an old project in which the team was unable to optimize. Andrea Stella, in fact, analyzed the reasons that cost the Briton the front row. In addition to the snag between turns 13 and 14, where the McLaren lost the rear end, the time lost on the straights also had an impact. In fact, we had already seen on Friday how McLaren had a significant gap in the second sector.
Last race of this season
This last race was a continuous fight to collect the last points. After several difficulties, Lando Norris managed to take fifth place while Oscar Piastri took sixth place. Given the difficulties that also arose during qualifying, it is a race that could have gone even worse. But thanks to the dexterity and skill of both drivers, it turned out to be a satisfying race in the end.
McLaren: The importance of giving time
Probably, this season for the papaya team was one of the most satisfying. We can summarize their season with one phrase: the importance of giving time. Well yes, because it is important to underline how McLaren managed to transform a poor MCL60 into a presentable car. They started from Bahrain with a DNF and then ended up fighting for the podium almost every weekend. With two pilots full of cunning and skill. Capable of working as a team and bringing home very important results.
The Woking team has in fact turned its MCL60 inside out like a sock, conquering several podiums and above all showing progressive improvement without ever calming its ambitions. Thus allowing himself to be able to take a look full of enthusiasm and optimism towards the future that awaits him. What we can expect is an even more competitive McLaren next year, perhaps capable of fighting for the world title. But currently, it is important to recognize the work done by the entire team and the two drivers. As we all know, it’s not easy trying to turn a poor car into something competitive. Yet they succeeded. Now we just have to wait for next season, curious to see what they will come up with.
