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Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back, running what might be his last NASCAR race ever
Israel Dagg • September 20th, 2024 9:11 pm
"That's a huge milestone."
Having worked at McLaren for the past nine years, current team principal Andrea Stella knows better than most what a rollercoaster the team has lived through.
While McLaren took the lead of the constructors' standings somewhat unsurprisingly last weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, this is the first time the Woking-based squad has appeared as a legitimate title contender since the 2012 campaign.
At the time, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button had taken a combined seven wins out of 20 races that season – tied with Red Bull for most wins. However, a blend of driver errors and technical failures left them with a total 10 retirements – a stark contrast with other frontrunners at Red Bull, Ferrari and Lotus. The associated points loss was insurmountable.
Despite its undeniable performance, McLaren decided an overhauled car would have more potential in 2013, seeing limited development avenues on the rapid MP4-27. Thus was conceived the MP4-28 under technical chief Paddy Lowe with a revamped nose, monocoque and suspensions – including a pullrod front suspension inspired by Ferrari.
This was unsuccessful, to say the least. Button and new team-mate Sergio Perez failed to get a single podium finish, with the Mexican lamenting a lack of downforce and stability.
