McLaren faces 'formidable' challenge to stay up front

McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes the team has a "formidable"challenge to close the gap up front in Formula 1. The team startedoff the 2023 season on the back foot, after they admitted thatpre-season targets were not met. Once they introduced a significantupgrade package to their MCL60 at the Austrian Grand Prix thingsstarted to look good for the team, with Lando Norris scoringpodiums at Silverstone and Hungary. More updates would follow andenable the team to fight for podiums in Singapore, Japan, Qatar,and US. Brown paid tribute to the efforts of the team, whichlargely went unchanged, in an open letter. "While it was a toughstart for us in Formula 1 [2023], we stayed focused and remainedcalm under our new leadership team, headed by Andrea Stella, todevelop our car, which took us from the back of the grid tofighting at the front," said Brown. "The amazing thing is that,apart from a few changes at leadership level, it was the samepeople who started the season that enabled McLaren to finish 2023strongly. And as we work around the clock on our 2024 challenger,we intend to build on this year’s progress and push our rivals evenharder next year." Brown: All teams are locked in a quest for cardevelopment McLaren finished the season fourth in the Constructors'Championship ahead of Aston Martin, with many anticipating theywill be able to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari at the front. Brownbelieves it will be tough to maintain their momentum, but has faiththey can deliver another season that potentially sees them fightingfor wins. "We face a formidable challenge next season in continuingto close the gap to the front," said Brown. "All teams are lockedin a quest for car development and greater pace that is just asfierce off the track as it is on it, but our team will rise to thechallenge with its usual determination and relentless dedication."