It was unprecedentedly exciting in the battle for third place in 2020, but McLaren finally managed to secure third place. Formula 1 journalist Lawrence Barretto has said the British team will take their momentum into 2021 and win a race.
So close, yet so far away
"Carlos Sainz came tantalisingly close to his first victory in Monza, in what would have been McLaren’s first triumph since the 2012 season-ending Brazilian GP, as the British team turned a corner to raise hopes they will be a force once more," Barretto starts on Formula1.com.
Despite not getting that maiden victory, McLaren managed to finish third in the Constructors' Championship, which brings a lot of money to the team. "Third in the constructors’ championship, beating better-resourced squads Renault and Racing Point – who will become Alpine and Aston Martin respectively this year – was a sensational achievement," continued Barretto.
Return to the top step of the podium
McLaren start 2021 with a new injection from investors and will exchange the Renault engine for a Mercedes engine. In addition, they will have Daniel Ricciardo as a new driver who had one of his strongest seasons ever, and Lando Norris who came of age in 2020, according to Barretto. "I predict McLaren will end their eight-year wait for their 183rd Grand Prix win," added Barretto.