In a virtual event with selected media that included MotorLat, the McLaren Team Principal commented on feelings with the car on the second F1 calendar date, sustainable F1, track limits polemic, and few other things.

When asked about the polemic that decided the first victory of the season between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton for a track limits matter at Turn 4 in the Sakhir circuit, Seidl was very clear in the statement and gave a perfectly prepared answer.

“Of course it’s different from each track. Of course, I think we would all like to have simple ruling or always have physically track limits, but we have to accept reality. We go through a lot of different tracks, tracks that also are made to be fit for other categories. You simply need to accept that you need specific or individual regulations.”

“From the team’s point of view, as long as it is clear before each session how the rules are and being consistent with all the session, that’s fine, we can handle it. Focus on corners that could give an advantage of going off.” He said.

Andreas Seidl was asked to give the team’s feelings about the car compared to Bahrain, two weeks ago, in the first race.

“Back to Bahrain, it was obviously the first weekend for us in the new car, with all the changes that we have to do with Mercedes power unit but also for the new aerodynamic regulations. It’s clear that after the first weekend there’s still a lot to learn in order to get more out of the existing package on the car side but also with Mercedes during the course of the weekend. Even though the drivers did a good job in Bahrain bringing that great result, we know that it’s still a lot of potential and we see the competition around us is very strong”

How much Daniels's damage impacted the Australian’s race at Bahrain? Seidl explained:

We have seen in the car spec in the garage after the race, the floor was damaged at the front from running into it at the beginning of the race. With degradation being more than normal at the moment, didn’t allow Daniel to achieve more, so looking back, happy that he managed to finish in front of Carlos who had a strong race as well with the Ferrari.”

Looking back at Bahrain, Lando did a good race; Daniel had a great first race weekend with us. Never underestimate a change of team over winter and one and a half testing days, it is quite complex. I was very happy to see how the very first weekend together with Daniel went. Looking forward to setting more into the routine together.”

About McLaren’s sense of sustainability with Formula 1.

“We’re still working on our side. Our hospitality unit at the moment in the paddock it’s still a solution that was quite effective and we are planning later in the year to introduce our updated hospitality in terms of how to transport it and how to set it up. The discussion about having smaller hospitality units is something still going on with F1 at the moment, but from our side, we will be very supportive, regarding such a solution in the future.”

About feelings regarding new 18-inch tyres, engine regulations, and final aerodynamics' rule changes.

“The big challenge is this year, how long we will actually gonna keep developing this year’s car and then put everything into next year’s car. That’s something we have to discuss within the team depending pretty much on how the next couple of races go. Of course, you wanna have a competitive season this year, definitely be in a position where we could fight for this P3 with our competitors.”

McLaren’s team principal was asked about how it was that, after such an exciting race in Bahrain and the fight for the top, everything everyone is talking about is track limits, after the race.

“When this overtaking maneuver happened it was clear that Max had to give the position back, a quite straightforward thing in my opinion, not really controversial. In the end is about competition, about not getting an advantage when you go off the track. Therefore I don’t see the big deal.”

What Andreas said about having the first work of a race weekend with Daniel Ricciardo and how his time is with the team.

 “I don’t like to compare old drivers with drivers that haven’t been here before. But I think so far off the time we’ve had together, the most important thing as always is Daniel’s spirit in Formula 1, he has a clear view of things, on operations, also in terms of what he needs and that’s obviously something we benefit from in the briefing. And Daniel in his personality and character is a very positive guy which is important to me, all these drivers are heroes, everybody looks up to Dan. A Formula 1 season is intense. You have some bad moments as well and you have these positive guys in the garage the next morning and say “ok guys let’s do it again” and that’s something I appreciate in both our drivers, in Lando and Daniel”

Speaking about how is it to have a Mercedes Power Unit compared to the Renault that the Woking-based team worked with last season.

"First of all, I was very happy to have the first weekend with Mercedes without any major issues. That is a great achievement from everyone involved. This is a partnership we are very happy with. Having the World Champion engine tells you where we stand as a team and where do we need to improve. But is good to have these references, it is just a few of the next steps we need to come-back and fight for victories in the next years. In terms of power, I would say, comparing to Honda, for example, I think they are very close together nowadays. It’s a good thing to have."

Was Andreas Seidl surprised with his team’s main competitors Aston Martin’ and Alpine performances at the race in Bahrain?

"It’s very early days to say this on the first race weekend. Compared to the race winner I think we close the gap a bit with last year. Our main competitors for P3 in the championship this year, Ferrari obviously looks strong and Alpha Tauri, Aston Martin seems to struggle in Bahrain, Alpine as well, but this battle is really in 1,2,3 tenths and that is nothing in the end. We respect all of our competitors but try just to focus on ourselves."

Happy with the outcome of "Qualifying race" discussions with the FIA and F1, including McLaren’s position.

“We have to wait now for the final announcement from Formula 1 but happy with the outcome I think Stefano tries to compromise what works for everyone but we are happy and looking forward to trying it this year.”

Statement about Daniel Ricciardo’s comments regarding Formula 1 social media. During the press conference at the media day on Tuesday at Imola, Ricciardo labeled as ‘f****** idiots’, people responsible for social media posts glamourizing crashes as spectacle in the sport when putting them in social media an excessive number of times.

“Formula 1 social media team has been doing an excellent job in promoting our sport and developed a great growth if you look at the numbers in recent years. Our sport is one of the most exciting ones in the world with interesting stories on and off track, I agree with Daniel, he was clear he simply didn’t use the right language.”

McLaren's team principal concluded by talking about how the decision about reserve drivers regarding McLaren will be in case necessary.

"Yeah, that’s the arrangement we have with Mercedes. How we choose will be something that we will look all together with Mercedes depending on who is actually standing for Mercedes during the weekend. About Hulkenberg, again, we are depending on Mercedes but the decision will be between Stoffel and Nyck."