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, informed RTBF on the opening day of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Wednesday.
After McLaren gained 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 gained all 9 of his grand prix victories with Purple Bull, informed 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 a superb foundation as a result of the automobile was superb 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 wish 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.”
Nevertheless, 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 unimaginable second yr in System 1 even when he was behind Lando on the finish of the season,” Webber acknowledged. “However in the long run, it was an ideal season for him (Piastri) in ’24 with a variety of factors scored.
“He realized loads, and I hope he has a superb 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 implausible for the game. This transfer for Lewis is nice for everybody.
“However Leclerc can also be a famous person and I’ve a variety of respect for each of these guys. It’s all optimistic, each for Ferrari and for System 1.”
