McLaren's recent performance decline

McLaren is currently facing a challenging period after a strong summer performance, with Andrea Stella, the team director, outlining plans to restore the British team's competitiveness. The team has seen a noticeable drop in performance in recent weeks, despite still being able to compete for victories earlier in the season.

Current standings in the championship

With 355 points in the constructors' championship, McLaren is in fourth place, tied with Red Bull and trailing behind Ferrari and Mercedes. Stella acknowledges the need for action but notes that major upgrades for the MCL40 car will not be available until the Brazilian and Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Contrasting performances before and after the summer break

Lando Norris had a strong start to the season, dominating the Hungarian Grand Prix and nearly securing a third consecutive victory in Madrid. However, since his third-place finish in Madrid, Norris has not returned to the podium, and McLaren has now gone four races without a top-three finish, with its best results being fourth and fifth places in Singapore.

Tensions between drivers

The drop in performance has been accompanied by growing tensions between Norris and Oscar Piastri. After a collision during the Singapore sprint, McLaren once again used team orders in Austin, instructing Piastri to let Norris take his position at the start of the race. These internal rivalries may complicate the team's efforts to regain its competitive edge.

Upcoming technical improvements

To reverse the trend, McLaren is preparing several technical improvements that will be introduced gradually before the end of the season. Andrea Stella confirmed that the Mexican Grand Prix will bring few significant new features, with major upgrades planned for the Brazilian and Las Vegas races.

Stella's hopes for the future

Stella expressed hope that these modifications will help McLaren regain a regular place on the podium and possibly win again before the season ends. He emphasized that the team still has developments in preparation, but the effects of the upcoming changes will not be immediately visible. In the meantime, the focus will be on limiting damage in Mexico as Red Bull regains competitiveness and Ferrari and Mercedes continue to extend their lead in the championship.