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Formel 1 Pre Season Tests Bahrain. Freitag, 24.02.2023 Zak Brown, McLaren F1 Team Formel 1 Pre Season Tests Bahrain. Freitag, 24.02.2023 *** Formula 1 Pre Season Tests Bahrain Friday, 24 02 2023 Zak Brown, McLaren F1 Team Formula 1 Pre Season Tests Bahrain Friday, 24 02 2023 Copyright: xBEAUTIFULxSPORTS/Erlhofx
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Formel 1 Pre Season Tests Bahrain. Freitag, 24.02.2023 Zak Brown, McLaren F1 Team Formel 1 Pre Season Tests Bahrain. Freitag, 24.02.2023 *** Formula 1 Pre Season Tests Bahrain Friday, 24 02 2023 Zak Brown, McLaren F1 Team Formula 1 Pre Season Tests Bahrain Friday, 24 02 2023 Copyright: xBEAUTIFULxSPORTS/Erlhofx
McLaren got a sliver of hope for a better result on Sunday as Oscar Piastri, after his heroics in qualifying, sealed the P8 spot on the starting grid. However, a chaotic start saw him take damage to his front wing, resulting in him pitting early in the race. Eventually, things once again returned to their abysmal self as Piastri slid toward the back of the grid to give his teammate Lando Norris some company. Needless to say, fans are far from impressed and the voices for CEO Zak Brown’s ouster are growing.
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Despite McLaren delivering an arguably sub-par car, Piastri managed to steer his way through to Q3 on Saturday. That was after coming out from a depressing outing in the season opener in Bahrain, where he bowed out of the race prematurely. Norris, on the other hand, took damage to his front left after making contact with the wall in Q1. That ended his qualifying, landing him a P19 position on the starting grid.
Fans demand Zak Brown’s ouster despite his tall promise for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
After Oscar moved to the back of the grid, he frequently found himself going wheel to wheel with his own teammate. In the final lap, the Aussie overtook American rookie Logan Sargeant for P15. Meanwhile, Lando had a drag race to the finish line with Logan but remained in P17.
Later, Zak Brown took to Twitter to assure fans that they will bounce back stronger for Piastri’s home race in Australia. He wrote, “Tough race after an unlucky start with damage to both cars on the opening lap. Made it too difficult to turn things around. But we tried hard. Oscar P15, Lando P17. Time to get our season back on track in Australia.”
Brown did not find many takers for his statement as fans urged him to step down from his position.
Get out of McLaren
— Arthur (@ArthurTorreaopb) March 19, 2023
I’m starting to sound like a stuck record, but watching both cars fight for last place is disgraceful. To many years in mediocrity under you. You need to go and soon. Time to rebuild not just the car but the team and that starts with you. Forget Indy project we are a F1 team 1st
— Rob (@stinkiesdad) March 19, 2023
I'm sorry but if most people failed to this extent, then they'd be removed from their position.
You seem like a decent bloke and I don't doubt your enthusiasm but enough is enough. We need new leadership.
— Matt (@Stamford_Chels) March 19, 2023
Some fans made some sound suggestions, urging Brown to get the car fixed ahead of the next race.
The aerodynamics department is a drama Zack. It sounds like Seidl didn't do a good job of identifying that weakness. Aerodynamically it is the worst car in Formula 1, and that is totally unacceptable
— Spirit of '88 (@sspirit_of_88) March 19, 2023
Zak, fix the aero. There was no boost on DRS behind Williams. The power unit isn't the fastest, but take a look at Aston Martin with the same one… please… the drivers have the will, the car is like an anger to the team's evolution.
— VAG™ 🟐 Ⓐ🐺🏴☠️ (@AxEasy) March 19, 2023
Other fans were far from polite in expressing their anger.
Fed up of excuses now to be honest..forget multiple sponsors and sort a quick car out before you lose @LandoNorris
— Bobby Brown (@BobbyBrown70) March 19, 2023
Time to retire the McLaren name if we're going to keep taking the piss in F1. And apologize to Ron Dennis while we're at it
— Frank from CPT (@FrankfromCPT) March 19, 2023
We're actually in a worse position than last year. At least last year lando was fighting ocon to the line in the top 10, this year he's fighting sargeant to the line in second to last position. It's alarming how bad we've taken to the new regs, we're sliding backwards too fast
— Dan Howes (@daniel_j_howes) March 19, 2023
Some found hilarious memes to express their anguish with the team.
— Lukas Bull (@Lukas_Bull) March 19, 2023
Watch This Story: F1 Stars Max Verstappen & Lando Norris Go Wild With Their Girlfriends in Monaco
It's hard to watch my team struggle 😪 pic.twitter.com/VhgZBB6nBO
— Debbie 🧡 (@debbielando4) March 19, 2023
Do you think McLaren can bounce back from the nightmarish start to the season?