Feb.27 (GMM) Former F1 driver Mark Webber is coy about whether or not McLaren, and his protege Oscar Piastri, could also be heading into the 2025 season as favourites.
“We’ll see,” the Australian, who now personally manages his 23-year-old countryman Piastri, instructed RTBF on the opening day of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Wednesday.
After McLaren received the constructors’ championship final yr, with Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris ending runner-up behind drivers’ title winner Max Verstappen, Purple Bull boss Christian Horner is declaring that he doesn’t thoughts if McLaren enters the brand new season as favourites.
“There are such a lot of components that come into play,” 48-year-old Webber, who received all 9 of his grand prix victories with Purple Bull, instructed the Belgian broadcaster.
“It’s essential that the automobile is aggressive on every monitor and above all dependable, on condition that we’re beginning with 5 races in six weeks,” he defined.
“However we’re clearly beginning on foundation as a result of the automobile was excellent in 2024.”
As for Piastri, he stays extremely regarded within the F1 paddock, however there is no such thing as a denying that Norris had the upper-hand final season.
One other former F1 driver Marc Surer, nonetheless, thinks McLaren has an issue on its fingers. “If McLaren need to win the championship, they should put Lando Norris as their no 1 driver,” mentioned the Swiss. “In any other case Piastri will take factors away from him.”
Nonetheless, Piastri nonetheless completed fourth general in ’24, securing his first two grand prix wins – in comparison with three wins for Briton Norris final season.
“Oscar had an unbelievable second yr in Components 1 even when he was behind Lando on the finish of the season,” Webber acknowledged. “However ultimately, it was an important season for him (Piastri) in ’24 with quite a lot of factors scored.
“He realized so much, and I hope he has season.”
RTBF concluded its dialog with Webber with one of many hottest paddock matters of the second – Ferrari’s new driver mixture.
“Lewis (Hamilton) and Charles (Leclerc), what a lineup,” Webber smiled. “It’s unbelievable for the game. This transfer for Lewis is nice for everybody.
“However Leclerc can also be a celebrity and I’ve quite a lot of respect for each of these guys. It’s all optimistic, each for Ferrari and for Components 1.”
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