Can McLaren's evolutionary-but-innovative MCL38 deliver Norris' first F1 win?

McLaren made significant strides towards the front in 2023, and there are great expectations on its new MC38 to continue that trend. But there are many questions to be answered before considering whether it can take on Red Bull, not least some typical launch-spec obfuscations

Published Feb 14, 2024, 5:04 PM

McLaren's rocket-like ascent through the 2023 order once it acquired its mid-season upgrade jetpack took the team from Formula 1's midfield mire into the fight for regular points and podia, adding a flash of excitement to the second half of the year. Now, the goalposts have shifted for 2024, and the Woking squad will have the weight of expectation laid upon its shoulders in its aims to reel in the Red Bull squad.

That's no easy task by any stretch of the imagination. As the team progresses from its MCL60 to its new MCL38, it will need to build upon the foundations that it laid last season, and strengthen its position as a realistic contender rather than fall back behind the other outfits chomping at the bit to slay the rampant Bull at the top of the mountain.

Author Jake Boxall-Legge

Jake Boxall-Legge Autosport’s Technical Editor. Having studied Automotive Engineering with Motorsport at the University of Hertfordshire, West Country-born Jake's original ambition was to design racing cars. During a year between studies in which he accidentally rekindled a love of writing, he took up a Master's in Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes. Halfway through his master's year, he was offered a place on the Autosport Academy, conducting occasional freelance duties before becoming the press officer for Formula 2 and GP3 in 2018. Autosport offered him a return to the fold later that year to serve as its Technical Editor. His voice appears on a number of videos and podcasts, and can often be found writing about terrible Formula 1 cars in excruciating detail. In his spare time, Jake enjoys baking and blames his failure to make it past the Great British Bake-Off interviews on his tenuous grasp on choux pastry. His dream is to open a brunch cafe - and his willingness to make outrageous puns in inappropriate situations has earned him the contempt of his colleagues.