That’s because the team’s rebuilding plan, formulated mainly by Stella’s predecessor Andreas Seidl and technical director James Key, is focused on infrastructure upgrades, and in particular the new windtunnel.
McLaren has for many years rented time in the Toyota facility in Cologne, with all the obvious logistical issues inherent in having staff travelling back and forward and spread across two countries.
An on-site state-of-the-art tunnel, built to current specifications, will have obvious advantages – and only Aston Martin will have a similar brand new facility on its doorstep.
However, the tunnel just the highest profile part of the programme, which includes an upgraded simulator and new manufacturing infrastructure.
McLaren had to be in a healthy financial position in order to green light such an investment, and when the plan was agreed a couple of years ago things were starting to go in the right direction. COVID caused a few delays, but now the pieces are starting to fall into place, and the tunnel will finally be operational later this year.
McLaren finished fifth last season, losing out to Alpine, but there’s little doubt that had Daniel Ricciardo made a more representative contribution to the total the team should have been fourth.
That’s where Stella sees McLaren in 2023, but with its form relative to those ahead improving as new parts come through the system.
McLaren MCL60
Photo by: McLaren
“I think it’s fair to say that over the course of the season, we would like to establish ourselves as part of the top four,” he says. “We know realistically that with the top three teams, this may be like potential just to be in the fourth best car over the course of the season.
“We are realistic in the very short term, there’s good developments already in the pipeline, that should land at the trackside very soon in season, this should allow us to get to take a decent step forward, we are not naive.
“We know that pretty much everything will be staying the same with developments on so on. And so like I said, we also add some more high-level development.”
Stella stressed that the focus is on the latter part of this season and beyond as the new facilities start to pay off.
“Going overall in the team, I would like to remind you of the importance of getting the new windtunnel to come to fruition, which should have been around mid-year,” he said. “That should be a step change for many reasons, not only the fact that it…
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