Andreas Seidl says it was important to him McLaren F1 team to put down the tools during the summer break and relax, especially since the team is involved in a close battle for third place in the constructors’ championship Scuderia Ferrari.
Both McLaren and Ferrari are tied on points after the first eleven races, although the Italian team due to second place for. is at an advantage Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc. Lando Norris has three podium places this year, but only the best third place.
McLaren team principal Seidl says they need to get going in the second half of the season to beat their long-standing rivals in the championship, starting this weekend Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps.
“After a break during the summer shutdown for the team to rest, recharge and prepare for the second half of the season, we will soon be ready to race again,” said Seidl. “We are currently in an intense battle with our closest rivals in the Constructors’ Championship and we know we have to start at Spa to keep up the pressure.
“The circuit in Spa is a really unique and exciting circuit and represents an interesting challenge for both our engineers and our drivers.”
For the other McLaren driver, says Seidl, this weekend will be a special moment in the career of Daniel Ricciardo, with the Australian going to compete in his 200th Grand Prix, having made his debut back in 2011 Great Britain Grand Prix for the HRT F1 team.
The team boss hopes that it will not only be an unforgettable weekend on this occasion, but also the results for Ricciardo, who is still aiming for his first podium since joining McLaren in early 2021.
“This Grand Prix weekend is also a special moment for Daniel and the team as we celebrate his 200th Grand Prix,” he said. “Reaching this milestone is a really significant achievement and it shows how much experience he has gained over his 10 year career.
“He’s joining an elite drivers club by passing 200 Grands Prix and we look forward to celebrating the weekend with him.”
Seidl says that this weekend in Belgium the team will try to start the second half of the season at the front, the first race of a triple header that also includes races in the Zandvoort race track by doing Netherlands and the Monza National Circuit in Italy.
“On the way to another triple header, the team will work hard to pick up where we left off at the end of the first half of the season and to score points in all but one race,” said Seidl.
“The intensive schedule is a challenge for the team, but we are ready to tackle it directly, both within the track team and in the team at the plant as well as with our colleagues from Mercedes HPP.
“I know the whole team is excited to be back out there and giving it their all.”
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