McLaren MCL** 2026 f1 car speculation thread

[haza]

Speculation Thread for the McLaren 2026 f1 car

Few things we do know Mercedes rumoured to have a good pu with McLaren having some what of an input on the engine (due to the “special partnership* with Mercedes hpp when they extended the contract) doubt it’s much input in reality and McLaren have stated that there are elements of the 25 car they can carry over to next year possibly suspension I don’t know about brakes as I’d imagine they’d be completely different for 26 possibly brake cooling hope McLaren can get the rules right of the bat unlike previous changes

[De Wet]

Speculation Thread for the McLaren 2026 f1 car

Few things we do know Mercedes rumoured to have a good pu with McLaren having some what of an input on the engine (due to the “special partnership* with Mercedes hpp when they extended the contract) doubt it’s much input in reality and McLaren have stated that there are elements of the 25 car they can carry over to next year possibly suspension I don’t know about brakes as I’d imagine they’d be completely different for 26 possibly brake cooling hope McLaren can get the rules right of the bat unlike previous changes

We have a completely different technical leadership & setup than in previous rules change.

I'm optimistic...

[haza]

The fact the team has reliable correlation with the wind tunnel and simulators bodes well I can see teams exploiting the barge boards and floor entries and side pod entries a lot across the season similar to what happened in 2017-2021 granted the concept is an inwash design not outwash but I can see it being an area exploited a lot having a reliable wind tunnel could make the difference if that’s the case

[Holm86]

I read somewhere that the name had leaked, and it's going to be named MCL40A.
The 'A' seems to me like they've already found out that their first concept could be improved a lot, but they've had to lock in a design to be ready for testing and the first rounds maybe, and then introducing a B spec chassis/concept at a later stage?

EDIT*
The name came from an auction site where the MCL40A had been actioned off
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/ad25/lo ... am-mcl40a/

[FittingMechanics]

I wouldn't really put much into that designation. I think McLaren said that the car auctioned will be the one raced in Monaco and I'm not sure they can be sure that the designation stands until then?

But maybe they already plan to introduce B spec some time after Monaco.

[haza]

Would not be surprised to see most teams bring “B spec” cars through out the season I expect them to change quite abit even throughout testing

[Badger]

I read somewhere that the name had leaked, and it's going to be named MCL40A.
The 'A' seems to me like they've already found out that their first concept could be improved a lot, but they've had to lock in a design to be ready for testing and the first rounds maybe, and then introducing a B spec chassis/concept at a later stage?

EDIT*
The name came from an auction site where the MCL40A had been actioned off
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/ad25/lo ... am-mcl40a/

Legal reasons probably. If you bought the car you can't complain you didn't get the "latest spec" which McLaren will want to keep for its own collection and testing. They will get an early season spec, probably from the first few races, hence the "A". If they hadn't sold the car in advance without specifying which chassis I doubt they'd have bothered with this naming scheme.

[De Wet]

x = @McLarenF1France:








Not bad at all... Can someone send it to Zak...

[the EDGE]

I read somewhere that the name had leaked, and it's going to be named MCL40A.
The 'A' seems to me like they've already found out that their first concept could be improved a lot, but they've had to lock in a design to be ready for testing and the first rounds maybe, and then introducing a B spec chassis/concept at a later stage?

EDIT*
The name came from an auction site where the MCL40A had been auctioned off
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/ad25/lo ... am-mcl40a/

I'm pretty sure this has been bought up in the past, and that all McLaren F1 cars have had the letter A after the number, whilst in development. It is not an indication of an impending B spec car

[WardenOfTheNorth]

Speculation Thread for the McLaren 2026 f1 car

Few things we do know Mercedes rumoured to have a good pu with McLaren having some what of an input on the engine (due to the “special partnership* with Mercedes hpp when they extended the contract) doubt it’s much input in reality and McLaren have stated that there are elements of the 25 car they can carry over to next year possibly suspension I don’t know about brakes as I’d imagine they’d be completely different for 26 possibly brake cooling hope McLaren can get the rules right of the bat unlike previous changes

We have a completely different technical leadership & setup than in previous rules change.

I'm optimistic...

Plus they switched focus fairly early, which is part of the reason the season end was so close.

[Avocado]

I can't even remember the last time they upgraded the car. They were confident enough that it would be enough even though RB were still developing the car. Good decision.

[AR3-GP]

I can't even remember the last time they upgraded the car. They were confident enough that it would be enough even though RB were still developing the car. Good decision.

Stella:

"From an aerodynamic point of view, our car was already quite mature. It takes weeks for us to add one point of aerodynamic efficiency because we were at a plateau in our aerodynamic development.

"On the 2026 car, every week we add a lot of downforce. So that's where, with the best information you have available, you have to make a call. We were so much in the diminishing returns, we needed to be realistic and shift our attention to 2026."

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/why- ... /10770826/


They stopped developing because it was difficult to find gains.

[PlatinumZealot]

x = @McLarenF1France:

https://i.ibb.co/9mGQxkp5/G9bz5-NXWEAAe-I5-Y.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/YFn0QTtc/G9bz5-NTXUAEbck-Z.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/pB7DP0W3/G9bz5-NZWo-AAisu-E.jpg


Not bad at all... Can someone send it to Zak...

These sorts of side pods will no longer be the best way. I expect the narrow side pods to return.

[De Wet]

x = @McLarenF1France:

https://i.ibb.co/9mGQxkp5/G9bz5-NXWEAAe-I5-Y.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/YFn0QTtc/G9bz5-NTXUAEbck-Z.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/pB7DP0W3/G9bz5-NZWo-AAisu-E.jpg


Not bad at all... Can someone send it to Zak...

These sorts of side pods will no longer be the best way. I expect the narrow side pods to return.

Apologies... I was referring to the paint job. But Papaya remains my 1st choice.

[Balalu]

Chrome/silver/grey - Papaya combo would be epic. I have been hoping for it for years...