2025 McLaren F1 Team

[CjC]

I know the first Q3 aren’t the ones that count but what about how far ahead the 2 Mclaren boys are compared to the rest of the pack on their used tyres- discount Russell who set both of his Q3 times on a new tyres

[AR3-GP]

I know the first Q3 aren’t the ones that count but what about how far ahead the 2 Mclaren boys are compared to the rest of the pack on their used tyres- discount Russell who set both of his Q3 times on a new tyres

Well that's the point. The more perceptive viewers know Mclaren is already in Jeddah. The headline times don't mean it's close.

[mwillems]

As predicted Russell is close.

It's because track temps fell to 30C, pretty much the same they were at Suzuka. McLaren only has a monstrous advantage on 35C+ track temps.

They were clearly fast in FP3. The drop-off earlier today was not just tyre related.

Merc continually play themselves down but they are consistently close.

The car is faster that many give it credit for.

[Ground Effect]

I know the first Q3 aren’t the ones that count but what about how far ahead the 2 Mclaren boys are compared to the rest of the pack on their used tyres- discount Russell who set both of his Q3 times on a new tyres

Talking about the tyres, I think that's another mistake, this time by the team. In the position McLaren is in, they should always have 2 sets of new softs for Q3. None of this banker nonsense. The first run has the potential of being a pole lap, so it should be treated as such. What if there was a red flag during the second run? Save sorts over the weekend to ensure you've got 2 for Q3.

[Ben1980]

As predicted Russell is close.

It's because track temps fell to 30C, pretty much the same they were at Suzuka. McLaren only has a monstrous advantage on 35C+ track temps.

They were clearly fast in FP3. The drop-off earlier today was not just tyre related.

Merc continually play themselves down but they are consistently close.

The car is faster that many give it credit for.

It's quite interesting people are ignoring the facts with Merc being consistently close and then downplaying them. Antonelli has been performing aswell and he could be my son!

[Ben1980]

I know the first Q3 aren’t the ones that count but what about how far ahead the 2 Mclaren boys are compared to the rest of the pack on their used tyres- discount Russell who set both of his Q3 times on a new tyres

Talking about the tyres, I think that's another mistake, this time by the team. In the position McLaren is in, they should always have 2 sets of new softs for Q3. None of this banker nonsense. The first run has the potential of being a pole lap, so it should be treated as such. What if there was a red flag during the second run? Save sorts over the weekend to ensure you've got 2 for Q3.

The scrubbed set would have got them through Q2 I'm sure. Then had 2 fresh sets fir q3. And likely a 1 and 2 or 1 and 3 at worse.

[CjC]

I know the first Q3 aren’t the ones that count but what about how far ahead the 2 Mclaren boys are compared to the rest of the pack on their used tyres- discount Russell who set both of his Q3 times on a new tyres

Talking about the tyres, I think that's another mistake, this time by the team. In the position McLaren is in, they should always have 2 sets of new softs for Q3. None of this banker nonsense. The first run has the potential of being a pole lap, so it should be treated as such. What if there was a red flag during the second run? Save sorts over the weekend to ensure you've got 2 for Q3.

Don’t take this as gospel but I believe Mclaren have saved a set of new softs for the race.
If true that’s a massive flex that’s played out amazing for Oscar and back fired massively for Lando

[mwillems]

It's because track temps fell to 30C, pretty much the same they were at Suzuka. McLaren only has a monstrous advantage on 35C+ track temps.

They were clearly fast in FP3. The drop-off earlier today was not just tyre related.

Merc continually play themselves down but they are consistently close.

The car is faster that many give it credit for.

It's quite interesting people are ignoring the facts with Merc being consistently close and then downplaying them. Antonelli has been performing aswell and he could be my son!

Some of the reactions and analysis of relative pace have been ridiculous in here this year. The thread has become bi polar.

[CjC]

As predicted Russell is close.

It's because track temps fell to 30C, pretty much the same they were at Suzuka. McLaren only has a monstrous advantage on 35C+ track temps.

They were clearly fast in FP3. The drop-off earlier today was not just tyre related.

Merc continually play themselves down but they are consistently close.

The car is faster that many give it credit for.

Think we need to split that ‘fast’ car phrase up.
All the top 4 teams have a fast quali car- as we have witness when McLaren was a midfield team punching above their weight in quali- the new tyres mask weaknesses and it’s converging the pack in quali.

The Mercedes is ‘fast’ in quali but it’s not AS ‘fast’ in the race.

[CjC]

I know the first Q3 aren’t the ones that count but what about how far ahead the 2 Mclaren boys are compared to the rest of the pack on their used tyres- discount Russell who set both of his Q3 times on a new tyres

Well that's the point. The more perceptive viewers know Mclaren is already in Jeddah. The headline times don't mean it's close.

Indeed. I am obviously disappointed with Lando failing to covert the pace into a quali 1-2 and I’m just trying to point the thread on a more realistic direction.

Also- I note your post last night in the Bahrain thread and I’m choosing to wait till after the race to post my reply, I don’t want to jinx Mclaren…. I guess Lando has already half flunked it up though

[Ben1980]

It's because track temps fell to 30C, pretty much the same they were at Suzuka. McLaren only has a monstrous advantage on 35C+ track temps.

They were clearly fast in FP3. The drop-off earlier today was not just tyre related.

Merc continually play themselves down but they are consistently close.

The car is faster that many give it credit for.

Think we need to split that ‘fast’ car phrase up.
All the top 4 teams have a fast quali car- as we have witness when McLaren was a midfield team punching above their weight in quali- the new tyres mask weaknesses and it’s converging the pack in quali.

The Mercedes is ‘fast’ in quali but it’s not AS ‘fast’ in the race.

I think the Mclaren is a better race car than qualifying car. But it's not had the chance to show it to its full potential as yet.

But people have all chosen to believe the talk that Mclaren is 3/4 tenths quicker easily. Maybe because it helps with their chosen driver.

[mwillems]

It's because track temps fell to 30C, pretty much the same they were at Suzuka. McLaren only has a monstrous advantage on 35C+ track temps.

They were clearly fast in FP3. The drop-off earlier today was not just tyre related.

Merc continually play themselves down but they are consistently close.

The car is faster that many give it credit for.

Think we need to split that ‘fast’ car phrase up.
All the top 4 teams have a fast quali car- as we have witness when McLaren was a midfield team punching above their weight in quali- the new tyres mask weaknesses and it’s converging the pack in quali.

The Mercedes is ‘fast’ in quali but it’s not AS ‘fast’ in the race.

Nope Merc does drop back, or rather, we are fastest in the race and undoubtedly someone like Max would be cruising in it, as he said.

The RB looks very quick but an absolute dog to drive and get a strong lap out of.

[CjC]

Fair reflection I think from Norris:
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/desp ... ualifying/

[Emag]

Fair reflection I think from Norris:
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/desp ... ualifying/

Just quoting some of his more interesting statements from the article here :

"I can't figure it out - every time I try something, it's good for one session and then it's the wrong thing for the next session because the wind's changed, and I just can't flow with the car. And when I can't flow, I'm just not very quick.

"I've just got to work on myself, I can't fault the team and the car is the best by a long way. But clearly I'm just not clicking at the minute."

He credited Piastri for taking pole - "Oscar's doing a great job" - but was dismissive of any talk about how this might affect a championship battle.

[trinidefender]

Guess it's a good thing Norris was running a different setup than piastri with a 319km speed Vs piastris 315. Should help with overtaking.