McLaren faces 'formidable' challenge to stay up front

McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes the team has a "formidable" challenge to close the gap up front in Formula 1.

The team started off the 2023 season on the back foot, after they admitted that pre-season targets were not met.

Once they introduced a significant upgrade package to their MCL60 at the Austrian Grand Prix things started to look good for the team, with Lando Norris scoring podiums at Silverstone and Hungary.

More updates would follow and enable the team to fight for podiums in Singapore, Japan, Qatar, and US. Brown paid tribute to the efforts of the team, which largely went unchanged, in an open letter.

"While it was a tough start for us in Formula 1 [2023], we stayed focused and remained calm under our new leadership team, headed by Andrea Stella, to develop our car, which took us from the back of the grid to fighting at the front," said Brown.

"The amazing thing is that, apart from a few changes at leadership level, it was the same people who started the season that enabled McLaren to finish 2023 strongly. And as we work around the clock on our 2024 challenger, we intend to build on this year’s progress and push our rivals even harder next year."

Brown: All teams are locked in a quest for car development

McLaren finished the season fourth in the Constructors' Championship ahead of Aston Martin, with many anticipating they will be able to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari at the front.

Brown believes it will be tough to maintain their momentum, but has faith they can deliver another season that potentially sees them fighting for wins.

"We face a formidable challenge next season in continuing to close the gap to the front," said Brown.

"All teams are locked in a quest for car development and greater pace that is just as fierce off the track as it is on it, but our team will rise to the challenge with its usual determination and relentless dedication."