25 January 2024 , 06:00
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McLaren are in the rather unique position of having something in their possession that Red Bull will be genuinely jealous of.
After all, the feeling of envy and resentment usually goes the other way these days. Red Bull are dominating the Formula 1 world and leaving all their rivals with few, if any, opportunities for success on track - evidence by the fact they failed to win just one of the 22 races held last year.
If they have any weakness at all, most people might point at the second driver seat. They wouldn't trade Max Verstappen for anybody, of course, but Sergio Perez has a lot of work to do this year to convince Christian Horner that he is still the best man to partner the champion.
McLaren have no such problems. On the contrary, they look to be set up for the next decade at least with two of the most talented but youngest drivers on the grid - both of whom are tied down to multi-year deals.
It is a dream position for the Woking-based squad to be in. After all, to be successful in F1, you need to marry a competitive car with drivers capable of getting the most out of their machinery. Even if you have one, without the other you won't win.
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With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, McLaren probably could not ask for a better driver pairing. The former has plenty of F1 experience now and both of them have tremendous talent. Aged 24 and 22 respectively, they also have their entire careers ahead of them.
It's no coincidence that, at one point or another, Red Bull have tried to sign both. Norris continues to be a target for the champions, while Horner has, on more than one occasion, lamented the fact his outfit did not manage to snap Piastri up while he was still in the junior categories.
As a pair, you would be brave to suggest McLaren's driver line-up is not the best on the grid. Mercedes may have an argument with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at their disposal, but the former is approaching the end of his F1 career and so the Silver Arrows must plan for life without their seven-time world champion.
McLaren have no such concerns. If Norris and Piastri keep their hunger for racing and look after their bodies and minds, there is no reason why both of them can't still be racing in F1 in 15, maybe even 20 years' time. Fernando Alonso is proving right now that it is possible to still be effective in your 40s.
What they must now do is provide that championship contender car. They have made excellent progress in recent years and enter the 2024 season as perhaps the favourites to be Red Bull's closest challengers. McLaren must continue making positive steps if they are to return to their glory days - and convince Norris and Piastri that they can achieve their own title ambitions with their current employers.