2025 McLaren F1 Team

[Watto]

Looks like we won’t be seeing any major updates this season according to Houldey:

"We're really out of that point where big upgrades are making a difference and actually we're bringing options.

"Different circuits are going to offer different amounts of performance and we'll be trading those at each event as we move forward now, rather than bigger upgrades."

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/aust ... 1-problem/

That actually makes perfect sense... The car is obviously good all around, any major change would probably take away from that balance. The car is also probably near it's ceiling concerning development and considering this is the end of these regulations, they timed it just right

Yep have said in the thread the McLaren being a little more on edge this year almost feels like it had some elements of Red Bull quck, but more and more on the edge, RBR kept going down the path last year getting worse and worse - maybe fast in theory but on the track no one not even Max could really handle it. Almost think that is a little caution for McLaren to tread carefully even more so when they have the quicker car in almost all tracks. Do more what they are doing track specific or like a few recent updates trying to make it more manageable (For Lando more atm) rather than quicker.

[Darth-Piekus]

I don't feel the car is that much faster than the rest. Our drivers have to shed blood, sweat and tears and go 100% to get a pole with our highest difference being 2 tenths at most. It's night and day compared to that Red Bull car of the last three years. A car which was more than half a second faster than all the rest and Max did not feel any pressure inside or outside the team in my honest opinion. That is the reason I believe Oscar is doing just as good as Max (so far till now) when he had the best car. Sure I agree that he has two less wins but then Oscar has actual competition inside his team.

On another note let's hope Norris can get some positive results as the championship still has a long time to go. He needs some good positive energy for his psychology.

[CjC]

Simply stunning!!

[Lazy]

Impressive.

[Watto]

Fantastic lap by Lando

[IntrinsicVoid]

@Darth-Piekus Half a second on this track. Are we watching the same championship or…? At least respect for going teeth and nail to keep that defensive stance over the dominance of the car.

[Darth-Piekus]

This time Lando has done one of his magical timed laps. It's a pity Oscar got screwed by that Double Waved Yellow but tomorrow he will get past that Ferrari and hopefully both drivers avoid any unnecessary drama.

Regarding to your question we are indeed watching the same championship. Have you missed Mclaren's updates? Apart from this GP I haven't seen Mclaren being that dominant in any other Qualifying. Looks like to me Max underperformed cause unless you can explain how he was slower than both Ferrari, Russell and Lowson having worse cars. At least give some respect to the Mclaren drivers for their performance.

[Tvetovnato]

I think this is the usual temperature phenomenon that brings cars in or out of the window. The only constant seems to be McLaren’s ability to always be there. Bodes extremely well for the coming summer heat.

[Shader]

It's good to see Lando with his mojo back. I believe those car modifications really worked for him. Smart move by the team...

[Darth-Piekus]

Was Piastri with the older configuration?

[Avocado]

Piastri was very unlucky at the end, we should have won 1-2. It will happen tomorrow. Ferrari is not even a minimal threat.

[Ben1980]

This is why Lando is frustrating.

When he is on, he is supreme, we saw it a few times last year, only once really this year.

Interesting that even with all his qualifying issues, he is only 1 behind Oscar on qualifying results. 5-6.

[bauc]

Superb job by NOR to claim pole position, too bad PIA did not had the chance to start his 2nd Q3 lap due to the yellow flags triggered by the GAS spin in the last corner but still we have a good chance of a 1-2 tomorrow, bur LEC will be trouble, we must keep clear of him, I think PIA can overtake LEC on the start as P3 is on the racing line/side of the main straight.

Good luck to the boys tomorrow, GO Mclaren!

[Macklaren]

Welcome back, Mr. Norris

[Macklaren]

Was Piastri with the older configuration?

Nope. He didn't have the Lando specific tweaks but confirmed that both cars have the same "go faster" bits