After starting the 2024 season with the third-fastest package, McLaren now enjoys the quickest car in F1.
Ferrari, through Charles Leclerc, defeated the Woking-based squad at Monza, but the MCL38 is the car to beat - as shown by Lando Norris' resounding victory in the previous round in Zandvoort.
The current season has ebbed and flowed. For the first time since 1977, four teams have won three grand prix or more.
With eight rounds - or a third of the campaign - remaining, who ultimately comes out on top is anybody's guess.
McLaren trails Red Bull by a mere eight points in the constructors' standings, with Ferrari a further 31 adrift.
Now, 1998 and 1999 F1 champion Mika Hakkinen has backed the team he won his drivers' titles with to remain the dominant force for the remainder of the year.
“They are the best team out there, and this is the most exciting time, in my opinion, to see what's going to happen for the rest of the season,” said the Finnish driver.
“Are they going to just flat-out dominate? I hope they will... I don't think anybody is going to catch them.”
But will McLaren turn 'papaya rules' into papaya rule for the rest of 2024?
Let us know what you think by voting below in the latest poll by RacingNews365 and by leaving a comment.
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In the latest episode of the RacingNews365 podcast, Ian, Sam and Nick look ahead to this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Red Bull's serious issues are discussed, as is Ferrari's chances in the title fight and Adrian Newey's move to Aston Martin.
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