Remember how Fernando Alonso accepted the reality of not being able to challenge for the title with McLaren and decided to leave? Looks like Zak Brown has managed to convince Lando Norris of the same reality for this season. The Briton understands that he would not be challenging for the title this season. However, Brown did issue a direct statement about the Papaya team’s future prospects, which gives a glimmer of hope. But what did Zak Brown say?

Going through a tough phase will be an understatement if we consider how McLaren has started the 2023 season. Failing to deliver on the promise of constantly challenging for podiums, the Papaya team is somewhere around the back of the grid. Despite the major restructuring of the team, the upgrades brought to Baku don’t seem to be enhancing the performance significantly as McLaren continues to struggle in the fight to get inside the points. 

McLaren TP recently came out talking about the terrible start of the season and his expectations for the coming years. Zak Brown explained how Lando Norris understands that the way to the top is going to be a long one. He suggests how the 2023 season has been a frustrating one for the team. However Brown explained how one has to go through the downs before finally going up. He adds that the team is not what it was at the start of the season and knows what’s in line for them. They are in it for the long haul. 

According to the F1 Nation podcast, when Tom Clarkson asked Zak Brown whether Lando Norris has bought into the reality of the performance situation, Brown said “He has. You know we’re very transparent with our drivers. They know exactly what’s going on. Of course, this year has been a frustration for all of us from the start but, you know it’s very rare you just go straight to the front.”

“You know you’re gonna have some bumps and less rights along the way which is what we’ve experienced since the start of the year. But I think we’ll recover quickly. We’re a different team than we were before we started this journey. So yeah, we’re all frustrated. We also know what’s coming and we’re in it for the long haul and we also know that the sport has ups and downs.”

Read More: McLaren Unveil Masterplan to Lure Lando Norris to Stay as Brutal Reality Strikes Hard

As Zak Brown explains that the team remains optimistic during this hard time, Andrea Stella explained how the new regulations have affected the cars and the change in concept.

Andrea Stella on McLaren not getting the basic concept right. 

With the new regulations introducing the ground effect back to F1, Andrea Stella explains how the floors play a massive role in bringing the performance together. There are multiple channels underneath the car playing a huge role in the stability and downforce of the car. Stella suggested how McLaren did not have the basic concept right for the start of the season and that even millimeters of change can make a difference. 

According to Motorsport.com, Andrea Stella said “So, if you look underneath, you’ll see channels, which play quite a significant role, and fences which all play together. You have to get the basic concepts right, which is something we haven’t done for the start to the season, but it’s also starting to become a game of millimeters here and there. They make the difference for how stable vortices are when they travel. And also, it makes a difference for porpoising.”

Watch this Story: Will Lando Norris Switch Teams From the Miserable McLaren – What are his Options?

What do you think about Zak Brown’s statements?