What is McLaren's target after a disastrous start to the season?

McLaren CEO Zak Brown claims the team's target for the 2023 season has shifted from finishing fourth to fifth. The American boss claims the top four teams would have created a massive points gap by the time the Woking-based team caught up with regards to development.

The British team has had a dismal start to the year, having barely scored any points in the first five races. The team had hoped to be one of the top four teams in 2023 but has been struggling to keep up with the rest of the midfield.

As a result, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are often seen at the back of the grid, unable to take their cars into the points. To make matters worse for the historic team, their 2022 rivals, Aston Martin, have taken a giant leap forward and currently find themselves second in the constructors' standings.

Speaking about McLaren's revised goals for 2023, Zak Brown told the F1 Nation podcast:

"Our goal is to be mixing it up inside the top four by the end of the year. But I think, given the headstart and the slow start we've had, actually to get to fourth on the points will probably be a tall order."

He added:

"So I think we're fighting for fifth with a few and then our goal is to be racing inside the top four by the end of the year and put in a better car out at the start of the year next year."

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McLaren boss is an advocate for adding more teams to the grid

Expressing his support for expanding the F1 grid, McLaren's Zak Brown has advocated the inclusion of additional teams, emphasizing the importance of their ability to contribute value to the sport.

In recent years, there have been discussions regarding the potential inclusion of Andretti Autosport as the 11th team on the grid. Surprisingly, the American team has encountered significant opposition from within F1, with Mercedes and Red Bull raising concerns about the value Andretti would bring and the adequacy of the joining fee.

In contrast, McLaren's Zak Brown holds a positive stance, expressing his enthusiasm for welcoming another team to the F1 grid as long as they offer an "additive" contribution to the sport.

Speaking to reporters in Miami, Brown reminisced about how there used to be as many as 30–31 cars in F1 pre-qualifying:

"As long as they are additive to our sport, I’d love to see more cars on the grid . I think it’s exciting. I remember when I started following Formula 1, you had pre-qualifying, I think there were 30-31 cars trying to show up to make the show. So I think an increase in the grid of the right teams that bring the right resources and are additive to what we’re all trying to do and help grow the sport then I’m all for it."

It will be interesting to watch McLaren's progress in the years to come.