2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[Darth-Piekus]

The question is. Is Mclaren fast enough to challenge for a win in Australia?

[the EDGE]

The question is. Is Mclaren fast enough to challenge for a win in Australia?

With these new PU’s there’s just too many unknowns to even have a guess.

It looks like Melbourne will be the first test of the so-called super clipping. I have a feeling whoever masters this the best will win

[Macklaren]

They were overweight in tests, but they are already producing (or will produce) parts as part of improvements, and the single-seater will not be overweight.

McLaren will be competitive and will continue to make us happy.

That’s the right attitude… 8 days 13 hours 25 minutes to go!

But who's counting?

[Darth-Piekus]

The question is. Is Mclaren fast enough to challenge for a win in Australia?

With these new PU’s there’s just too many unknowns to even have a guess.

It looks like Melbourne will be the first test of the so-called super clipping. I have a feeling whoever masters this the best will win

That is true. We dont know if Mercedes and Mclaren used the latest engine spec. We dont know even if they used that engine to higher mode. No idea of the speed of Red Bull or if Ferrari still hides more. Finally we have no idea who's heavier and how much.

[Ground Effect]

The question is. Is Mclaren fast enough to challenge for a win in Australia?

With these new PU’s there’s just too many unknowns to even have a guess.

It looks like Melbourne will be the first test of the so-called super clipping. I have a feeling whoever masters this the best will win

That is true. We dont know if Mercedes and Mclaren used the latest engine spec. We dont know even if they used that engine to higher mode. No idea of the speed of Red Bull or if Ferrari still hides more. Finally we have no idea who's heavier and how much.

We know McLaren didn't use the latest spec because it's been reported. Only Mercedes used it, their customers will get it in Melbourne.

[madtricon]

Hello everyone, I'm new here (from France) so in advance sorry if its not topic related but some serious sources indicates that Etihad Airways could be a new sponsor of McLaren. I don't know if someone have more details or information https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/excl ... n-f1-deal/

[ScottR267]

Etihad confirmed as a new sponsor taking the rear wing empty space.

https://www.mclaren.com/racing/latest-n ... l-partner/

[De Wet]

Hello everyone, I'm new here (from France) so in advance sorry if its not topic related but some serious sources indicates that Etihad Airways could be a new sponsor of McLaren. I don't know if someone have more details or information https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/excl ... n-f1-deal/

Welcome and Enjoy...

[mwillems]

Etihad confirmed as a new sponsor taking the rear wing empty space.

https://www.mclaren.com/racing/latest-n ... l-partner/

Etihad are owned by Abu Dhabi, as are Mclaren Racing and Automotive in part.

This will be an interesting deal, as this will in part be an attempt to transfer some of the brand value Etihad to Mclaren and to Automotive by proxy. I'm sure this won't alter the numbers though, and that the numbers will be significant.

I understand there will be co-branding, putting Mclaren racing livery on a Boeing Dreamliner and flying it around. So this for me is an investment into the wider Mclaren ecosystem.

Good times ahead I think.

Must be worth at least £30m - £40m per year, you'd think, not that I think the team needs the money as it is profitable, probably even without rear wing and halo sponsorship.

[SmallSoldier]

Majority control of McLaren is held by Bahrain (the Mumtalakat Holding), not Abu Dhabi… There is a holding (CYVN) from Abu Dhabi that invested in the Team last year, but is separate from the Abu Dhabi government who actually owns Etihad

Good deal for McLaren, an strong sponsor and both benefit from the exposure

[SilviuAgo]

Who is interested in Melbourne, F1 have announced where the straight mode and overtake detection will be for the Season Opening Australian GP:

• • FIVE Straight Mode zones- Turn 14-1, Turn 2-3, Turn 5-6, Turn 8-9 , Turn 10-11
  • Overtake detection point - Turn 14

But see you all in 2027.

[SilviuAgo]

Some statistics after 6 days of Bahrain, for the Top4 teams.

[mwillems]

Majority control of McLaren is held by Bahrain (the Mumtalakat Holding), not Abu Dhabi… There is a holding (CYVN) from Abu Dhabi that invested in the Team last year, but is separate from the Abu Dhabi government who actually owns Etihad

Good deal for McLaren, an strong sponsor and both benefit from the exposure

Automotive is fully owned by CYVN, In racing they have a minority stake. CYVN are wholly owned by Abu Dhabi government. Holding company in this instance isn't relevant

So I think the branding rationale stands
Yes majority of racing with Bahrain, for now.

[SmallSoldier]

Majority control of McLaren is held by Bahrain (the Mumtalakat Holding), not Abu Dhabi… There is a holding (CYVN) from Abu Dhabi that invested in the Team last year, but is separate from the Abu Dhabi government who actually owns Etihad

Good deal for McLaren, an strong sponsor and both benefit from the exposure

Automotive is fully owned by CYVN, In racing they have a minority stake. CYVN are wholly owned by Abu Dhabi government. Holding company in this instance isn't relevant

So I think the branding rationale stands
Yes majority of racing with Bahrain, for now.

Thanks for the clarification… wasn’t aware of the CYVN relationship with Abu Dhabi government

[mwillems]

Yeah no worries. Automotive was going down the pan, so CYVN bought some of racing after the event, likely for this very reason, and I expect this was all agreed some time ago. Pretty exciting for the brand, I think.