McLaren finds solution: 'It is impossible to overstate the significance'

Prior to the new season, McLaren had the quiet hope that it could compete for the world title in 2022. However, once the season rolled around they were way off the pace. But, despite that poor start they have now recovered, and Lando Norris' podium at Imola is testament to that.

Indeed, behind the scenes McLaren have worked hard in recent weeks to quickly polish off the disappointing season start. The first result was seen in the Australian Grand Prix, in which Norris and Daniel Ricciardo managed to finish fifth and sixth respectively.

In Imola, McLaren then continued their good progress. Ricciardo suffered damage on the first lap of the Grand Prix and ended up well outside the points, but Norris managed to impress. Thanks to a mistake by Charles Leclerc he ended up on the podium, which was a fine performance by McLaren. Scott Mitchell analyses for The Race which parts McLaren has made strides in.

"One of the big steps seems to be the car is now better understood," writes the journalist, who understands the lesser start. "Though it has been repeated plenty since Bahrain, it is impossible to overstate the significance of the brake duct problems that blighted McLaren’s final test."