2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[Macklaren]

Is the team really not bringing any updates to the car till Melbourne? All the others seem to do it. Do you think the team went too conservative?

We cannot say this until the last lap in Melbourne. We shall see

[Darth-Piekus]

You mean until we go to Melbourne.

[Macklaren]

You mean until we go to Melbourne.

No I think we need to see how things play out over a race distance

[Macklaren]

https://twitter.com/i/status/2022350070713122862

Interestingggg

[FittingMechanics]

Is the team really not bringing any updates to the car till Melbourne? All the others seem to do it. Do you think the team went too conservative?

The team proved themselves in last two years. Trust the process. Their development pace was unmatched. Even if they are behind at the start they should be able to catch up.

McLaren way is to not rush things, do deep evaluation and only bring it to the car if it is an improvement. They also need to be smart and efficient with their CFD and wind tunnel runs, they have the least so I can fully understand their plan to first understand this car and see what are others doing before spending on it.

[venkyhere]

deleted

[F1NAC]

Apologies for the botched up colours (I guess some minor issue with F1insightshub), but we can still crudely see the 'program' each team ran (even if we can't see the tyres).
Seems like three out of the big four had race sims.
Can't understand what Redbull were trying (probably experiments) because there are no race sims today.

https://i.ibb.co/ccCMCPpN/Bahrain-practice-day3.png

Sorry, but why post same post in multiple threads? This is why 2026 comparison thread exist…

[venkyhere]

Apologies for the botched up colours (I guess some minor issue with F1insightshub), but we can still crudely see the 'program' each team ran (even if we can't see the tyres).
Seems like three out of the big four had race sims.
Can't understand what Redbull were trying (probably experiments) because there are no race sims today.

https://i.ibb.co/ccCMCPpN/Bahrain-practice-day3.png

Sorry, but why post same post in multiple threads? This is why 2026 comparison thread exist…

Can such lap/stint-charts be posted in 'car threads' ? I thought those 2026 comparison threads (two of them) are exclusively to discuss the car details. If not, will post there and delete from here.

[venkyhere]

[SilviuAgo]

Best laps & deficit to fastest team in testing this week

Mercedes: 1:33:669
Ferrari: 1:34:209
McLaren: 1:34:549
Red Bull: 1:34:798
Haas: 1:35:394
Alpine: 1:35:806
Audi: 1:36:291
Williams: 1:36:793
Racing Bulls: 1:36:808
Cadillac: 1:36:824
Aston Martin: 1:38:165

*Aston Martin is something bad. I thought McLaren Honda 2015 days are over.

And another proof that Honda (1 team) is miles away from Mercedes (4 teams): 272 laps vs 2579 laps

[Macklaren]

https://x.com/i/status/2022395277517439458

Lighter car incoming apparently

[SmallSoldier]

Don't know what to make of the test.
Mclaren seems to be running reliably but don't know what to read from the test times reg the peak performance.
Merc, Ferrari and Redbull possibly ahead?

You shouldn’t be trying to read anything from the times

[CjC]

https://x.com/i/status/2022395277517439458

Lighter car incoming apparently

I thought the car we’d see in Barcelona would be the one we see in Melbourne

[AR3-GP]

Piastri definitely not a fan of the new regs. It's too long to post any specific portion, but...

https://www.planetf1.com/news/oscar-pia ... y-concerns

[SmallSoldier]

https://x.com/i/status/2022395277517439458

Lighter car incoming apparently

I thought the car we’d see in Barcelona would be the one we see in Melbourne

It will be… for testing they may bring some testing parts that are prototypes and therefore not made with the final materials, there are plenty of parts that can be “exchanged” for lighter counter parts once they are checked off and decided to be kept… most of the parts that create the bulk of the weight are parts we can’t see