McLaren’s stunning victory in Abu Dhabi, led by Lando Norris‘s fourth win this season, has put them in prime position to grab the constructors’ title from Ferrari.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for the team, which hasn’t won the championship since 1998. Back then, they were powered by Mercedes engines – just like they are today.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff isn’t losing sleep over being beaten by McLaren. In fact, he’s pretty happy about it.
“If we can’t win as a works team, I’d much rather be beaten by our customers,” Wolff said in Abu Dhabi.
The relationship between McLaren and Mercedes has had its ups and downs. After splitting in 2014, McLaren tried their luck with Honda and Renault before coming back to Mercedes power in 2021.
For Wolff, McLaren’s success actually helps silence any doubts about Mercedes engines. “There’s no discussions about performance levels, no discussions about drivability or energy deployment. None of that.”
It’s simple math for Mercedes now – they know exactly where they stand.
“They’ve got the same engine as us, so if they’re faster, it’s down to their chassis, their execution, or their drivers,” Wolff explained. “That’s completely fine for us. It’s actually a win for Mercedes Motorsport and HPP (High Performance Powertrains).”
The battle at the top has gotten really interesting lately. While Red Bull dominated early in the year, the second half has seen four teams trading punches.
McLaren’s grabbed six wins, Ferrari’s taken five, and Mercedes has four under their belt.
Wolff’s keeping it real about next season: “We’d love to be fighting for wins on merit, but it’s not a given.”
One thing’s for sure – with McLaren’s resurgence, 2024 is shaping up to be a thriller.
