McLaren Formula 1 boss Andreas Seidl believes the team has "regained its racing spirit" since his arrival last year.
The German began in his current role at the Spanish Grand Prix last May and oversaw the British team's best season since 2014, finishing fourth in the Constructors' Championship and claiming a first podium in five years via Carlos Sainz in Brazil.
Those results, combined with optimism over the new regulations coming for 2021, have created an atmosphere that the good times could be coming back to McLaren, and that is the biggest change Seidl has seen in the past nine months.
“McLaren has regained its racing spirit, which is the basic prerequisite for being successful in motorsport,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
“With the team’s successful history, it was no wonder that it had been lost to a certain extent after the losing streak in the past four or five years.”
Also Read:
- Norris applauds Seidl impact since becoming McLaren F1 boss
- McLaren: P4 the maximum in 2020, podium & wins unlikely before 2023
- Norris/ Sainz bromance 'only benefiting' McLaren
A key part of that was the relationship built between Sainz and Lando Norris which was a fresh of breath air after the politics which seemingly existed during Fernando Alonso's stay.
And while Seidl was impressed by the pair, he now wants them to take that next step up.
“From what I have seen of the two so far, I am convinced that they have the potential to be top drivers and now it is important that we give them a car that they can drive fast and grow with us," he stated.
“Then they have to show that they are winning drivers, but at the moment there is no reason to doubt them.”
