F1 | Russian GP | Seidl: “In dry conditions Mercedes is in a different league, but we’ll try to secure good points in the race”
McLaren’s Team Principal Seidl was particularly happy with the team’s performance in Saturday’s qualifying – with Norris achieving pole and Ricciardo fifth on the grid. Yet, he admits the weather conditions played in their favour.
McLaren has achieved their first pole position since 2012 and this obviously made Team Principal Andreas Seidl absolutely delighted.
“Lando’s first pole position, our first pole position since 2012 and Daniel qualifying P5 make this an excellent Saturday for our team,” he said.
“Congratulations to everybody at the track, back at the factory and our colleagues at Mercedes HPP, because that was an exceptionally challenging qualifying session, executed very well”.
Seidl, however, acknowledged how the wet conditions played in McLaren’s favour.
“What we know – and based on what we have seen during free practice – is that in dry conditions Mercedes is in a different league”.
“So I guess it will be very difficult to keep Lewis behind. But at the same time, in this type of track if you start ahead you have very good chances to do a good race”.
“We know we are a strong team in terms of race execution of races, strategies and we have very strong drivers,” concluded Seidl.
Given the recent positive results achieved by the team, with McLaren’s triumph in Monza, Seidl was asked whether they are “playing down strategically” and try to appear less dangerous than they actually are.
“I don’t think we’re downplaying our achievements. We just have to look at facts,” he replied, “if we consider delta lap times, we still have a lot to do compared to Mercedes and Red Bull”.
“However, if you compare our average times from last year, we have halved that gap. This means the team is making a sensational team and we’re headed in the right direction,
“At the same time – and this makes me very pleased – we have seen multiple times during the season that as of today we are already in a position to challenge them [Mercedes and Red Bull]”.
“As we’ve seen last race and today in qualifying, we’re capable of pulling out great performances when we have the opportunity. This is thanks to a great job of the whole team, a great communication among each member and great timing in decisions and execution”.
Previously throughout the media session, drivers have clearly stated that the results in Monza have not changed the team’s approach to a weekend. Yet, as explained by Seidl, from the emotional point of view, “results like this is what keep you going and work to achieve the extra mile”.
“As a team, such results are what gives us the confidence to keep going and know we are going in the right direction. But it is also very important not to become arrogant. We always strive to be realistic with what we have and where we are”.
Lastly, Seidl made his predictions for Sunday’s race.
“It is obviously very difficult to know where everyone is because of the many different programs the teams run yesterday during free practice,” he said. Moreover, given the torrential rain on Saturday’s morning, FP3 got cancelled preventing teams to really show their potential.
Andreas Seidl has no doubts though:
