2025 McLaren F1 Team

[mwillems]

I ignore most of the driver comparisons that forget Max is always 1st in his team. If we had a driver that was always faster than the other, the WDC would have wrapped up ages ago.

[venkyhere]

From the data, Norris was in lower engine mode than Max in FP2, and still faster by 4 tenths in Q and around 5-6 tenths in R simulations. RB21 also showing much bigger 'deg' than the McL39. In the real Q and R, I think this gap is going to be 5 tenths and 8-9 tenths, respectively. The difference in the off-camber corners of Sector3 is almost comical. I think this is too much a gap for Redbull to bridge. I can't see beyond a pole to flags victory for Norris this weekend. The advantage over the 'next best' car on this track, is even bigger than it was in 2024. Norris will win his 1st WDC with a cool P1 with some 30s margin over P2.
Piastri looks lost.

[SchuMassa]

From the data, Norris was in lower engine mode than Max in FP2, and still faster by 4 tenths in Q and around 5-6 tenths in R simulations. RB21 also showing much bigger 'deg' than the McL39. In the real Q and R, I think this gap is going to be 5 tenths and 8-9 tenths, respectively. The difference in the off-camber corners of Sector3 is almost comical. I think this is too much a gap for Redbull to bridge. I can't see beyond a pole to flags victory for Norris this weekend. The advantage over the 'next best' car on this track, is even bigger than it was in 2024. Norris will win his 1st WDC with a cool P1 with some 30s margin over P2.
Piastri looks lost.

That's a slightly delulu take, sorry.

Verstappen was braking quite a bit earlier into most major braking zones (doing more li&co?).
The gap was nowhere near 5-6 tenths in race simulations. If we were to compare the first 8 laps of their stints only (that's the distance NOR did), the gap is merely 0.1s. And Max started his stint ~10 mins before him.

[Darth-Piekus]

You could have been more polite instead of posting that crap especially if you dont provide data to back it up. Cause even if you are right, you lost it if you start making fun of another poster.

[bauc]

As a MCLAREN fan,I don't care who wins the pilots WC,all I care is that Mclaren is a back to back WCC!!!

Same!

[venkyhere]

From the data, Norris was in lower engine mode than Max in FP2, and still faster by 4 tenths in Q and around 5-6 tenths in R simulations. RB21 also showing much bigger 'deg' than the McL39. In the real Q and R, I think this gap is going to be 5 tenths and 8-9 tenths, respectively. The difference in the off-camber corners of Sector3 is almost comical. I think this is too much a gap for Redbull to bridge. I can't see beyond a pole to flags victory for Norris this weekend. The advantage over the 'next best' car on this track, is even bigger than it was in 2024. Norris will win his 1st WDC with a cool P1 with some 30s margin over P2.
Piastri looks lost.

That's a slightly delulu take, sorry.

Verstappen was braking quite a bit earlier into most major braking zones (doing more li&co?).
The gap was nowhere near 5-6 tenths in race simulations. If we were to compare the first 8 laps of their stints only (that's the distance NOR did), the gap is merely 0.1s. And Max started his stint ~10 mins before him.

Let's agree to disagree, as per my understanding, McLaren were in a lower engine mode (clue : with those rear/front wings, their Vmax before T6 and T9 is 4-5 kph slower than the Redbull, and the Redbull wings are more loaded actually) and hence the 'gap' is really big. Let's wait for Q and R.

[Ben1980]

Im pretty sure, nay confident. The gap in qualifying will be close between Max and the Mclarens.

Its been close pretty regularly I'm not sure it will dramatically change. It was 0.4 last year. Will be closer this time.

[mwillems]

From the data, Norris was in lower engine mode than Max in FP2, and still faster by 4 tenths in Q and around 5-6 tenths in R simulations. RB21 also showing much bigger 'deg' than the McL39. In the real Q and R, I think this gap is going to be 5 tenths and 8-9 tenths, respectively. The difference in the off-camber corners of Sector3 is almost comical. I think this is too much a gap for Redbull to bridge. I can't see beyond a pole to flags victory for Norris this weekend. The advantage over the 'next best' car on this track, is even bigger than it was in 2024. Norris will win his 1st WDC with a cool P1 with some 30s margin over P2.
Piastri looks lost.

That's a slightly delulu take, sorry.

Verstappen was braking quite a bit earlier into most major braking zones (doing more li&co?).
The gap was nowhere near 5-6 tenths in race simulations. If we were to compare the first 8 laps of their stints only (that's the distance NOR did), the gap is merely 0.1s. And Max started his stint ~10 mins before him.

Let's agree to disagree, as per my understanding, McLaren were in a lower engine mode (clue : with those rear/front wings, their Vmax before T6 and T9 is 4-5 kph slower than the Redbull, and the Redbull wings are more loaded actually) and hence the 'gap' is really big. Let's wait for Q and R.

On the fastest laps of Norris and Max, the gaps were bigger at the corner exits than the end of the straights. Only on the longest straight when DRS is open did the RB start to increase the speed differential.

This is why you see the Mclaren "slower" on the straights. They are faster, in relative terms, in that the Mclaren is gaining speed quicker than the RB, but starting from a lower speed.

They may well be taking it easy in the corners or just struggling.
It'd be foolish to guess at this point. But they sure as hell aren't lacking power, in fact, they appear to actually have more, especially since they are closing the speed gap with the bigger wings, as you mentioned.

[FittingMechanics]

That's a slightly delulu take, sorry.

Verstappen was braking quite a bit earlier into most major braking zones (doing more li&co?).
The gap was nowhere near 5-6 tenths in race simulations. If we were to compare the first 8 laps of their stints only (that's the distance NOR did), the gap is merely 0.1s. And Max started his stint ~10 mins before him.

Let's agree to disagree, as per my understanding, McLaren were in a lower engine mode (clue : with those rear/front wings, their Vmax before T6 and T9 is 4-5 kph slower than the Redbull, and the Redbull wings are more loaded actually) and hence the 'gap' is really big. Let's wait for Q and R.

On the fastest laps of Norris and Max, the gaps were bigger at the corner exits than the end of the straights. Only on the longest straight when DRS is open did the RB start to increase the speed differential.

This is why you see the Mclaren "slower" on the straights. They are faster, in relative terms, in that the Mclaren is gaining speed quicker than the RB, but starting from a lower speed.

They may well be taking it easy in the corners or just struggling.
It'd be foolish to guess at this point. But they sure as hell aren't lacking power, in fact, they appear to actually have more, especially since they are closing the speed gap with the bigger wings, as you mentioned.

When I looked at the data it does not look as if McLaren is "faster in relative terms" on the straight. The majority of the gain is through the twisty bit (sector 3) and on most straights VER is either gaining or roughly the same.

F1 made a video comparing the laps. Not sure if you saw it.

[FittingMechanics]

One thing that worries me about the race is that the team seems to have chosen differently in regards to tire (and potential two stopper). Everyone else has two new mediums and one hard while McLaren has the opposite. If it is a two stopper and medium is a much better tire that is not good. I'd feel much safer if they were on the same page as others. Let's hope the race is a one stopper.

In the team stream they said they think it is a one stopper:
"Henry Fidler
10:24
As always, tyres. We’d really like to know whether the race is likely to be a one- or a two-stop. Last year, we went into the race thinking it might be a two-stop and the way it played out, it was a one-stop. This year, the tyres are a little more robust and that pushes everyone further towards a one-stop – but there’s still perhaps merit in carrying an extra set of race tyres for Safety Car opportunities."

[f1isgood]

One thing that worries me about the race is that the team seems to have chosen differently in regards to tire (and potential two stopper). Everyone else has two new mediums and one hard while McLaren has the opposite. If it is a two stopper and medium is a much better tire that is not good. I'd feel much safer if they were on the same page as others. Let's hope the race is a one stopper.

In the team stream they said they think it is a one stopper:
"Henry Fidler
10:24
As always, tyres. We’d really like to know whether the race is likely to be a one- or a two-stop. Last year, we went into the race thinking it might be a two-stop and the way it played out, it was a one-stop. This year, the tyres are a little more robust and that pushes everyone further towards a one-stop – but there’s still perhaps merit in carrying an extra set of race tyres for Safety Car opportunities."

https://i.ibb.co/Hf4fW9Rk/abudhabi.png

Seeing the McLaren pace today, they can even do zero stopper.

[FittingMechanics]

Guys, we are not racing, reverse psychology will not work on us.

Max had days where he looked even worse (Brazil) and ended up with the best pace. Your only problem is that Mercedes and Ferrari don't look amazing.

[Macklaren]

As a MCLAREN fan,I don't care who wins the pilots WC,all I care is that Mclaren is a back to back WCC!!!

Same!

100%

[Ashwinv16]

I think qualifying might be in Red Bull favour but liek in 2021 they don't have the race pace. I think even the Merceds might beat Max in the Race. Honestly Norria just has to bring it home even in P6 if he has too.

[mwillems]

Let's agree to disagree, as per my understanding, McLaren were in a lower engine mode (clue : with those rear/front wings, their Vmax before T6 and T9 is 4-5 kph slower than the Redbull, and the Redbull wings are more loaded actually) and hence the 'gap' is really big. Let's wait for Q and R.

On the fastest laps of Norris and Max, the gaps were bigger at the corner exits than the end of the straights. Only on the longest straight when DRS is open did the RB start to increase the speed differential.

This is why you see the Mclaren "slower" on the straights. They are faster, in relative terms, in that the Mclaren is gaining speed quicker than the RB, but starting from a lower speed.

They may well be taking it easy in the corners or just struggling.
It'd be foolish to guess at this point. But they sure as hell aren't lacking power, in fact, they appear to actually have more, especially since they are closing the speed gap with the bigger wings, as you mentioned.

When I looked at the data it does not look as if McLaren is "faster in relative terms" on the straight. The majority of the gain is through the twisty bit (sector 3) and on most straights VER is either gaining or roughly the same.

F1 made a video comparing the laps. Not sure if you saw it.

Ill do some screenshot later, on the two straights in the middle of the lap we start with a huge difference in speed and close the gap over the straight.

We still lose time because we are slower in actual terms, but the acceleration is greater on those straights in the Mclaren,undermining any suggestion.of a lack of power.