Emerson Fittipaldi predicts time-frame for McLaren car improvement

Emerson Fittipaldi has predicted that McLaren may start showing improvements with their car once the European season has got underway.

The 2022 Formula 1 season is in full swing now with the first race taking place last weekend in Bahrain, though it proved one to forget for McLaren.

The MCL36 was well off of the pace as both drivers finished outside of the points paying places and it looks as though Saudi Arabia this weekend won’t be that much of a happier hunting ground.

The two cars did at least make it into Q2 on Saturday in qualifying around Jeddah but both will still start outside of the top 10 and the car still clearly has areas that need improving, with Lando Norris saying downforce – or a lack of it – is a real weak point at the moment.

Speaking to Vegas Insider, then, former F1 world champion Fittipaldi reckons that it might not until we get into the European races that we see the Maccas improve:

“McLaren was disappointing. Zak Brown made a statement that they know they need to work, they need to recover and McLaren, for sure, has the technology, the people, the capacity to recover.

“I’m sure they’ll find out soon why it’s not working and come back with a strong answer and improve.

“My opinion is that it’s going to happen more in the European races. They have more time to work for that.”

Expect pain was Lando Norris’ verdict after the Bahrain GP, with it apparent that there is no overnight fix to McLaren’s issues.

Daniel Ricciardo said the team knows where it needs to improve, meanwhile, but again said it’s going to be a long-term thing rather than something they can remedy quickly.

Their fans, meanwhile, will just hope Saudi can be a little more positive this weekend than Bahrain was.