After the Russian GP, McLaren was 17.5 points ahead of its rival. In the four races since Sochi, however, there has been a swing of 49 points in favor of Ferrari, with the Italian team now having a 287.5 over 256 advantage.
Seidl admitted that it was “disappointing” not to realize the full potential of the MCL35M in the last few races. McLaren was only two 10th in Mexico and Brazil.
“It’s clear that our car is much stronger on certain tracks,” he said.
“But what we haven’t been able to do in the last few weeks is simply to get the points that were on the table for us. And of course that’s disappointing. But at the same time there are reasons for it.
“So now we really have to go back to the last three races and try to do better.
“Today was the second hit in a row after Mexico in our battle for the constructors’ championship, so I think we have to be realistic now about what is possible this year.
“At the same time, regardless of the fight for the constructors’ championship, it is now simply important in the last few races that we get back to positive momentum and simply get the points that are on the table for us.”
With three races to go, Seidl admitted it was harder to beat Ferrari in third place, but he hasn’t given up the fight yet.
Andreas Seidl, Team Principal, McLaren, at the start
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
“We have to face reality, of course,” he said.
“If everything goes well for Ferrari now, at the end of the season, it will be difficult.
“But at the same time, as long as it is theoretically possible and I’ve seen several times this and last year what can happen on a race weekend, we’ll try to persevere.
“It is more important that we now simply achieve the results that are on the table for us.
“Because I think we were still able to achieve good results on the last two race weekends when we didn’t have the strongest car in the duel we were in.
“We didn’t succeed and we have to do better.”
Seidl also emphasized that the championship position should not be the only yardstick for the team’s season and that there have been significant improvements in other areas.
“Of course we are all focused on this P3 / P4 fight at the moment,” he added.
“But like I always said, we have a realistic idea of where we are with the team.
“And the most important thing is again that we as a team have clearly taken the next big step forward in terms of the car.
“We look at the average score this year, it has increased quite a bit. The lap time deficit compared to Red Bull and Mercedes was again significantly smaller than last year. “
