Seidl: 'Second year with Mercedes engine is advantage for us'

Andreas Seidl is confident of a great 2022 for 'his' McLaren. The team boss of the racing stable from Woking is ambitious, but does not want to say out loud that they can attack top teams like Mercedes and Red Bull Racing this year. According to him, some extra time is needed for that as well.

"It was a very intense winter. It took many extra hours from everyone in order to get to this place today and be able to present this. I can't thank everyone hard enough for their commitment and hard work," he says of the McLaren staff that worked on the MCL36. "I'm just proud."

McLaren is ready

When Karun Chandhok asks team principal Seidl if he feels McLaren is ready for the start of the season, he says. "Certainly, I, feel that the team is ready. We had a great season last year and we learned a lot. We are going into our second year with the Mercedes power unit, which is a benefit." Only since last year does McLaren drive with the German power sources, before that it was a customer of Renault.

Furthermore, the German top man let it be known that he is happy that Norris and Ricciardo will again step into the McLaren car. According to him, this continuity is very important. "Furthermore, I also think that we have taken another step in how all departments work together. I think we're ready and I'm looking forward to getting out on the track."

Seidl cautious in predictions

Finally, Seidl is presented with the question of what exactly the expectations are for 2022."The most important thing is to keep the positive momentum we have created in the last year. We have ambitions, we want to fight for races and championships regularly, but at the same time, we have a realistic view of where we are. We need more time as a team, also for our infrastructure. We are ambitious and hungry, we want to close the gap to the top."