There could be no better time to present the new McLaren-models of the Formula 1. The British traditional brand has quietly and secretly become one of the favorites for the 2024 World Cup title. Already in the previous year, the team set the course to contest the crown of permanent winner Max Verstappen and the spoiled by success Red Bull-team.
But let us take a look back on the 2023 season, which had stared disastrous for McLaren. Lando Norris as well as Oscar Piastri had struggled with their new racing car for the start of the season. There was such a lack of pace that comparisons were even drawn to the unpleasant Honda era a few years earlier, when McLaren was often only racing for the golden pineapple.
In Woking, they worked hard to find their way out of the back field. Of all places, the deadlock was broken in Silverstone - McLaren's home race. After only scoring points a few times in the previous races, Norris surprisingly finished second. It was the Briton's first podium since Imola 2022. "I'm still in a phase where every single podium means a lot to me," he said at the time.
Oscar Piastri rounded off the strong team result. While Lewis Hamilton finished third, the Australian followed in fourth position. For Piastri, it was the best placing in Formula 1 to date. What followed were further respectable successes for the exceptional talent from Down Under - including his first sprint victory in Qatar.
In 2023, the McLaren team showed perseverance and proved one thing above all: the turnaround within a season is feasible. And not only that! By jumping back into the top group, they enabled their two drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, to fight for top-three results right from the start in 2024. Where the journey will lead remains to be seen. The trend is clearly upward.
Lando Norris McLaren MCL60 #4 Monaco GP Formula 1 2023 1:18 Solido, RRP €59.99, item-no.: 421186250
Oscar Piastri McLaren MCL60 #81 4th British GP Formula 1 2023 1:18 Solido, RRP €59.99, item-no.: 421186260
Lando Norris McLaren MCL60 #4 2nd British GP Formula 1 2023 1:18 Solido, RRP €59.99, item-no.: 421186270