Infotainment Factory: Grim prediction for Piastri's Formula 1 debut

McLaren fans might have to temper their early expectations for Oscar Piastri's first Formula 1 season with the team "not entirely happy" with its new MCL60.

The Woking-based squad revealed the car on Tuesday, which is named to recognise the team's 60th anniversary.

Speaking at the launch, new team principal Andrea Stella said year-on-year gains have been made from the MCL36 to the MCL60.

However, discovering room for development late in the piece means the first version of the new Formula 1 car isn't where the team would like it to be.

Lando Norris (left) with Oscar Piastri (right) at the launch of the new McLaren MCL60.

"We identified multiple areas of opportunities," said Stella.

"The good news is that pretty much all of them have been addressed.

"I wouldn't want to be too specific, but certainly they have to do predominantly with aerodynamics. Aerodynamics is the name of the game in Formula 1 so it's no mystery.

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"But there are some more areas, for instance in terms of interaction with the tyres. There's some work that we needed to do and this was done over the winter.

"There are some other areas of the car that will be improved by developments in the early stages of the season.

"So, we are happy. Not entirely happy for the launch car, but optimistic that we should take a good step soon."

The team is being somewhat hampered by its out-of-date wind tunnel, which is set to be replaced this year.

A new simulator is also in the works, which, when up and running, should help the team build towards 2024.

It's hoped the team will be the best of the rest behind Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes, however, it could find itself facing stiff competition from Alpine.

"While we are happy with the development of the car in most of the areas, there's some areas in which we realised a little late to (prioritise) development in some really strong directions," he said.

"So, not necessarily we have been able to capitalise on this direction in the very short term. That's why I talk about the developments coming after the start of the season.

"In this sense, I just invoke realism. Normally you need to be totally happy and totally at the top of what you can do to achieve your targets."

The Italian tells it like it is. More developments will come, but the launch version of the new MCL60 isn't going to be the beast that bridges the gap from the mid-field to the front.

Stella told reporters a substantial upgrade will come shortly after the Australian Grand Prix around the time of the Azerbaijan and Miami races.

Oscar Piastri was 14th fastest in the annual post-season Formula 1 test at the Yas Marina Circuit.

"Over the course of the season, we would like to establish ourselves as part of the top four," said Stella.

"There are good developments already in the pipeline that should land trackside very early in season.

"This should allow us to take a decent step forward, [but] we are not naive. We know that pretty much every team will be staying the same. we have good developments.

"We also have some more high-level developments ongoing, overall in the team."

The 2023 season gets underway on March 6 with the Bahrain Grand Prix.

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