via Imago
Image Courtesy: Imago
via Imago
Image Courtesy: Imago
McLaren’s 2023 season was considered over even before it started. Then the team threw a dummy at us, making us all believe we were all wrong when we all saw the extremely close qualifying on Saturday, where the gap between the entire grid was just a little over one second. But guess what? The real performance over the 57 laps in Bahrain showed that we were all probably right the first time, and qualifying was possibly just a short cover-up.
Oscar Piastri retired, and Lando Norris finished P17 only because three drivers registered DNF. In an aftermath video, where Lando and Piastri address the happenings of the race, they deservingly got immense support from the Papaya army. Lando took the charges as the senior amongst the two and spoke like a mature driver as he thanked fans and acknowledged the failure. Now, fans continue to back their drivers but are certainly losing their patience as other teams have shown great potential, which McLaren failed at.
#BahrainGP is one to forget. We’ll debrief as a team and then focus on round two in Saudi Arabia. Still a long way to go this season. 👊 pic.twitter.com/WFiIVho840
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 5, 2023
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And all of this has gotten fans fuming, as they were hoping that the team would mend its ways after a rather disappointing season last year. The team continues to follow a downward path, which it barely managed to keep in reverse for a couple of seasons before 2022. The woes continue, and the fans aren’t hesitant to call out Zak Brown and the team for providing an unworthy car to potentially two great talents that the team has.
Support pours in for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Tough times are undoubtedly ahead for McLaren. Everything rests on their shoulders as to how they plan to get out of the swamp they’re stuck in. Seeing everyone except their team perform well would be a difficult sight for the fans and test their patience to the maximum.
I hope so guys, cannot help myself feeling a decline, come on, we have Saudi backing, the money is there are we spending it wisely 🧐🤨 I have faith in @McLarenF1
— Jeff Sparke (@JeffSparke1) March 5, 2023
Always here and always will be. We'll have better races this year and we'll be fighting again next race.
— Andy (@AndyRobinson100) March 5, 2023
Still gutted, of course, cuz we know how hard you all have worked. But can't dwell on it too much. Just gotta keep the head down and continue pushing. 🙏💪🧡
— Mr. Pigz (@MisterPigz) March 5, 2023
Tough for Lando
Undoubted quaility, but if McLaren do not improve, he cant sit in a team that is holding his talent back.
Yes, you get great support, but now back it and be competitive or face a season of nothing.#mclarenF1 #Papaya pic.twitter.com/ggkpATu7u1
— Brad Chuck (@BradChuck) March 5, 2023
this sucks, but next race we go again🧡
— Gabriel Batata (@Garzon_Gardione) March 5, 2023
McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, as quoted by the Mirror, expressed his optimism saying, “However, I think that for the level of talent and availability we have at McLaren already, we can recover and we can out-develop other teams because what we see in development right now is a very alive car in terms of development,” which the fans are finding hard to believe.
Chin up team, take a moment, learn from today, back in the fight in Saudi. Full support here, always 🧡 #ForeverForward #FansLikeNoOther
— Ashley K (@Mrsklipp) March 5, 2023
Always papaya, Keep pushing team 💪💪💪🧡🧡🧡#BelieveInMcLaren#ForeverForward https://t.co/q9PtZqz7mA
— Vicente 🧡 (@vbrull_vicente) March 5, 2023
So lots of learning that should lead to improvement. Clever Lando staying with some key televised battles so papaya was evident and the mid race pace looked ok, albeit with numerous fresh tires. Got you money's worth today on that front. Keep on keeping on.
— Gary Wood (@GaryWoo49843202) March 5, 2023
🏎️| Two impressive young blokes. It’s a shame we can’t deliver a car to match their talent.
Per pre-race, where is the accountability here for @ZBrownCEO? As a manufacturer team, it is embarrassing at this point.#F1 #McLaren #BahrainGP
— JM (@pts_phinsider) March 5, 2023
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Still gutted, of course, cuz we know how hard you all have worked. But can't dwell on it too much. Just gotta keep the head down and continue pushing. 🙏💪🧡
— Mr. Pigz (@MisterPigz) March 5, 2023
Lando Norris has got what it takes to take an average car to the podium. So, when you see him this far behind on the grid, you can see the current state of the car.
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Many fans are outraged and asking for a shift in the highest management of the team. Do you think it’s a reaction? Or is it justified?
