McLaren issue 'work to do' pledge in F1 title pursuit

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella insists the team will "remain realistic" about the job in front of it, despite a "positive result" in the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Italian has maintained finishing second and third at Suzuka was a "robust" result, even if the prevailing opinion is that the Woking squad let victory slip into the hands of Max Verstappen.

Stella has, however, acknowledged McLaren still has work to do to stay competitive throughout the F1 season, which is the final year before a complete regulations overhaul.

This means development will likely stop earlier than usual for all teams, as they turn their attention to an all-new era in the championship.

"After a positive result in Suzuka, we now return to Bahrain ready for the first evening race of the year," the 54-year-old said.

"The MCL39 has proven to be competitive over the first three races but we remain realistic about the work we have to do to maintain our competitiveness."

With the team's drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, splitting victories with Verstappen over the campaign thus far, McLaren has not enjoyed the relative comfort that was expected heading into the year.

But having started the season with three climatically cool grands prix, it is anticipated the Woking squad will take a step forward in the hotter temperatures of Bahrain and subsequently Saudi Arabia, and George Russell believes the best of the MCL39 will come in the warm.

Nonetheless, Stella is keeping his cards close to his chest over the conditions likely to greet the F1 paddock at the Sakhir International Circuit.

"Pre-Season testing here in February was relatively positive," he added, "but we expect to find slightly different conditions on our return now in April."