Good start, but McLaren still have long way to go

Team principal Andreas Seidl believes that P4 is the best McLaren can do in the Constructors’ Championship, and that they are a long way from challenging at the top.

The British team have established themselves as the ‘best of the rest’ so far this season, enjoying a 28-point lead over Toro Rosso in P5 and a 31-point lead over their engine supplier, Renault.

Seidl, though, says the team shouldn’t get carried away, pointing to the chaotic German Grand Prix as an example of how quickly things can change.

“It’s obviously good that we have all these points in the pocket with not necessarily having the fourth fastest car for all the races,” Seidl said in the FIA team principals’ press conference.

“But at the same time, it’s not something we get carried away with. We have seen, for example at the last race, you just need one crazy race where Nico [Hulkenberg], for example, is scoring [second] and we have no points and we would have a different discussion today.

“It’s important for us to keep our heads down, to just keep pushing, to bring more and more updates on the track, and keep this positive journey up. But, of course, it’s nice to be in [fourth] at the moment and we try to fight for that until the end of the season.”

The team’s improved form has led many to get excited at the prospect of a McLaren on the podium again, but Seidl believes this is still some way off.

“The reality is that we’re still getting lapped if there’s a normal race,” he added.

“So there’s still a lot of hard work in front of us.

“But, as I said before, it’s important that we keep progressing as a team together with our drivers. It’s good to see that the updates are working and hopefully we can make the next step with our car, also for next year. This is really what my focus is on.

“There’s no magic, as we know, in Formula 1. It’s down to hard work, to stay focused, and this is what I try, together with the team.”

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