F1 | McLaren, Andreas Seidl: “I am proud to be part of this team”

McLaren's climb is certainly noteworthy: the last time the Woking team reached the podium in the constructors' championship there was still a Mercedes engine under the bonnet. With the marriage with Honda, the English team fell into a negative spiral from which it seemed really difficult to escape. In 2018, for the first time, McLaren established a partnership with Renault and was sixth in the championship. In 2019, with the new Carlos Sainz – Lando Norris line up, the papaya colored team improved, up to fourth position and finally with a podium, which had been missing in Woking since Australia 2014 with Kevin Magnussen. 2020 can therefore be consecrated the year of rebirth: two podiums, two hundred and two world championship points after a battle with the competitive Racing Point and the Renault construction team. McLaren has shown that it is on the right path and this is just the beginning, considering that in 2021 Mercedes engines will once again power the two papaya-colored cars. Daniel Ricciardo seems to have hit the nail on the head, as he will replace Carlos Sainz and join Norris in a team that is currently well structured and led by Andreas Seidl, team principal who, silently and without hasty proclamations, has restored a team that seemed to be made up only of rubble after the adventure with the Japanese and Fernando Alonso.

"We made it! We are third in the constructors' championship – Seidl made his debut immediately after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where there was no shortage of celebrations on the track with the whole team – Congratulations to the entire team, here in Abu Dhabi and at the McLaren Technology Center. Together with our drivers and our colleagues from Renault, we managed to withstand the pressure and finish this weekend perfectly, with a great performance that allowed us to overtake our rivals. What a great result to end a truly difficult and complicated season.

"I'm really proud to be part of McLaren F1 today – continued the team principal – We asked a lot of our employees, but despite the pandemic and a great deal of uncertainty, everyone remained focused on our work. The team in Woking have developed the car throughout the season with continuous updates, and on the track we have improved every weekend.

"Looking ahead, today's results and financial news give us a stable foundation on which to begin building, to return to the top of Formula 1. At the same time, we are aware of where we are at the moment and we will continue our journey . We have had a lot of support this year: from our fans and our partners, both fundamental, like the work done by the FIA ​​and Formula 1 which ensured us an entire and safe season. We thank them all. I would also like to dedicate a special thank you to our drivers, who have done an exceptional job this year. Lando will be with us in the future, and Carlos leaves us and we wish him the best for his future in Formula 1. Again, special thanks to Renault who have supported us over these three years".