2025 McLaren F1 Team

[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.

I was totally wrong about sector3, Max was only a few hundreths slower than both Mclarens in S3. It can only be one/both of two things :
- Max was hiding pace (as much as 4 tenths) in S3 throughout the weekend, until Q3 (he did show a sub 30s in the second Q2 run, but 29.6 in Q3 is an insane sector time, gaining 0.55 w.r.t FP2)
- Redbull actually fixed the understeer overnight.

For all the talk of Vmax, the 'tow' that Max got, what the lap traces (F1insightshub.com) show, is that his Vmax gain was 2kph only. The Mclarens were nearly equal in top speed to the Redbull, SO INDEED McL WERE RUNNING MUCH LOWER ENGINE MODE IN FP2 (@mwillems, please note). Where Max 'gained' his S2 time, it was in the slow corners T5 and the T6-7 chicane.

Can't fault both Mclaren drivers at all, they did their job professionally, mistake free. Just that Redbull did their typical Fri->Sat improvement.

Anyway, it's brilliantly setup for tomorrow. Contrary to popular belief, it's going to be Piastry that Norris has to be worried about, and not get distracted into an ego-battle with Max into T1. I expect Piastri to be all-risk-all-attack into T1 tomorrow, as he will aim to jump Max. If Max has a bad start, T1 will be even juicier

[mwillems]

You make some enormous leaps.

Russell and Piastri are the risk, as is Max.

[venkyhere]

You make some enormous leaps.

Redbull did. Not me. I didn't expect a gain of 0.55s in one sector that's off-camber understeer city.

[mwillems]

Thats Red Bull all year long, holding more back till Q.

The top speed difference in most places on the fastest laps we're identical between FP2 and Q, when comparing Norris and Max.

Even if those gaps did open up and Mclaren found speed, there is a whole other set of reasons, such as fuel, energy usage, how hard they are pushing etc But none of it matters, because when pushing, their top speeds weren't much different. And if there was a secret engine mode for Mclaren, those top speeds differences over the lap would have not matched FP2.

[Balalu]

That was a pretty weak showing from NOR & PIA. Luckily, RUS bottled it.

It wasn't. The RedBull car is just better here, look at Tsunoda in Q3. Norris and Piastri both did a great job actually, under pressure.

[mwillems]

Max rectified his mistakes in S1 and found a little under half a second compared to Lando's 2 tenths, there's a big chunk of the time.

[Farnborough]

The front tyre pressure went up by 1psi too.

That would usually be in response to vulnerability (probably inner shoulder) under extreme load, which I'd doubt was McL. There may be a subtle shift because of this from chassis to chassis.

The MCL39 application in presentation of the tyre to track being exemplary, that increased durability maybe "enjoyed" more by others.

[kc_f1]

Insane laps by Max. Masterclass.
He's in the league of Senna and Schumacher. There's no one else.

[Mcl_G10]

I think there will certainly be some hurdles to jump tomorrow in terms of tactics and strategy and I dont have big confidence in the team getting those calls right in all honesty.
Lando wont be able to pass max on the straight and max will keep the field bunched. Lando can't simply follow max because if max pits into some traffic (or yuki) then he will pass no problem with his straight line speed whereas lando wont.

It looks on paper like it should be easy for lando but it wont be at all.

[venkyhere]

Just watched the official post quali press conference conducted by F1.
My god, the kind of questions journalists were asking Norris & Piastri - it was like being confronted by the paparazzis. Terrible. The same question asked 100 times, just with different words. Will you attack, will you defend, will the championship be over before lap1 finishes, etc etc. There was no 'respect' for the emotions and pressure the drivers are under. It was horrible. They were even asking will one of you feel bad/insulted if the other is celebrating his maiden WDC. It was a pathetic question, and Piastri gave a befitting answer. I've never seen a more degenerate line of questioning.

[FittingMechanics]

I think we will have race pace and easy one stopper.

After T1 probably Piastri in P2 that will overtake Verstappen and solve the race for us.

[Ben1980]

Do they start on hards? Go long? Take away the risk of being backed up.

[FittingMechanics]

Do they start on hards? Go long? Take away the risk of being backed up.

How can Max back up our guys but at the same time not risk being DRS overtaken and/or beaten once his tires go? If he backs us up in P2 and P3 at best he can be a second ahead and under threat of an undercut.

He is not guaranteed to be faster and this is not Monaco.

He may try something but I really don't see what he can do to get slower cars ahead of McLaren.

[mwillems]

There are sections he has to maintain pace, and sections where it is hard to overtake, it's not the same as it was a few years back before the changes in 21 but S3 will offer opportunities to slow the pack.

[_cerber1]

Having a car in front is always bad for us, but maybe better tyre management will be decisive.