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Formula 1 needs McLaren recovery to be long-term

By William Dodds

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 11: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren F1 Team MCL34 Renault on track during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 11, 2019 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 11: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren F1 Team MCL34 Renault on track during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 11, 2019 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images) /
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McLaren have enjoyed an impressive resurgence this season after years of underperformance, but must keep it up for the sake of Formula 1.

The demise of McLaren, a once dominant team in Formula 1, has been sad to see over the last few seasons. The Woking-based team last won a race in 2012 while their last podium finish was earned in 2014.

The team’s nadir came in 2017 when they finished in ninth place in the constructor standings. In that context alone, their 2019 season has been a great success.

But when you look at the financial and human resources that McLaren have at their disposal, Formula 1 fans can not blamed for wanting more.

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While McLaren are not an engine manufacturer, they still invest significant amounts in their chassis and in 2018 were the fourth largest employer in Formula 1, according to Race Fans.

Further money has come in this season too with the introduction of new team principal Andreas Seidl as well as a number of new senior technical staff.

Given the progress made, it is likely that the team will continue to invest heavily. They have already announced that Mercedes will become their engine supplier again from 2021.

The form of drivers Carlos Sainz Jr. and Lando Norris has also been a plus point, with the pair guiding McLaren to over 100 championship points (111 through 17 of 21 races) for the first time since the 2014 season.

Both have been confirmed for next year, and they seem to have banished the ill feeling that built up within the team during Alonso’s final years.

No one can question Alonso’s ability, but the fresh start the two youngsters have offered the team during an important rebuilding phase appears to have worked.

However, the progress and investment will be worthless if McLaren are unable to build.

The Renault works team have shown this season how difficult bridging the gap between midfield leader and top three is.

Of course, 2021 is where the real opportunity is, and with Mercedes engines, McLaren can re-establish themselves at the head of the sport.

For such a historic name to have fallen so far, it has been great to see their re-emergence.

Formula 1 needs someone to break the Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes oligopoly, and McLaren are best placed to achieve this.

Next. Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of all-time. dark

A team that won championships with Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Mika Häkkinen and Lewis Hamilton needs to be fighting for wins, or at least podiums, and Formula 1 needs it too.

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