Seidl ‘cautiously optimistic’ about McLaren’s Monaco hopes

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McLaren principal Andreas Seidl is quietly confident for the Monaco Grand Prix, thinking a podium could be possible.

McLaren have now been able to establish themselves in the upper midfield battle, Lando Norris having scored points in four of the six opening rounds of the 2022 season.

The upcoming Monaco Grand Prix is though a truly unique test on the Formula 1 calendar, one where driver ability comes to the forefront perhaps more than anywhere else.

McLaren were strong here last season, Norris qualifying P5 before going on to finish the race P3.

Norris’ health heading into the event remains a question mark, tonsillitis having hampered the Brit at the previous round in Barcelona.

But, while not about to declare McLaren as a certain Monaco frontrunner, Seidl can see a potential podium finish if all goes to plan.

“Monaco is such a special track that it’s always difficult to predict how you do there,” Seidl told Motorsport.com.

“Even last year, for example, where we had a car which struggled quite a lot with low speed compared to our competition, we could actually fight for I think top four in qualifying and we even scored the podium in the race.

“It’s such a specific track that together with having these completely new cars it’s probably even more difficult to predict what it’s going to look like.

“A lot