2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[CjC]

I totally agree with your last 2 posts SmallSoldier

[FittingMechanics]

I haven't watched the FP, did the team/drivers talk about it?

Btw did anyone figure out a way to access team stream (live comments) on the McLaren website? I can see it in the mobile app but it's annoying to have to watch my phone during the session.

[FittingMechanics]

Looks like the car may be third best this weekend. Gap to Mercedes still huge.

[FittingMechanics]

Yes! P3 and P5. Antonelli potentially gets a penalty, we could be starting P2 and P4. Could have easily beat Hamilton as well.

I think we are flattered a bit with Ferrari gambling with the macarena wing in the FP but 6 tenths to Mercedes isn't that bad. Let's keep at it!

[Avocado]

Pleasantly surprised! Bring on the upgrades!

[SilviuAgo]

Yes! P3 and P5. Antonelli potentially gets a penalty, we could be starting P2 and P4. Could have easily beat Hamilton as well.

I think we are flattered a bit with Ferrari gambling with the macarena wing in the FP but 6 tenths to Mercedes isn't that bad. Let's keep at it!

[SilviuAgo]

Spy mode on:))

[Emag]

They might have sorted out some optimizations issues they had with the PU, but their "long run" pace tomorrow will be more telling. If the deg is horrible and Ferraris blitz past then it's safe to say the gap is in the car and not the engine.

[BMMR61]

Having been horrified at the expected energy deployment issues this new formula has provided I've refrained from getting on board discussions. We simply don't know much about the use of the PUs yet. Diehard fans are particularly aggrieved at suddenly not being able to understand what they are watching. And I'm with them.

But as a diehard McLaren fan that endured a really dismal Melbourne weekend, I'm encouraged by SQ, even if the gap is still >0.6. The onboards very clearly reveal the Mercedes are far and away the nicest cars to drive out of the corners, almost like they have traction control.

[SilviuAgo]

Last sector is the one with the long straight. And Lando seems to have again deployment issues:

will: “ok mate that’s P3”
lando: “yeah well done, good job!” “i had a lot less deployment no? down the back straight”
will: “yeah, we did”

[geogate]

In my opinion, with regs as they are, being an engine manufacturer gives you maybe one season advantage over your customers.
All the cars are probably over weight right now, but a lets hope that Mercedes are less so.
On a positive note, i really havnt seen anyone discuss this, but seemed to me Norris got away from the line every bit as good as the Ferrari before he found himself boxed in. (in Australia)

[Mcl_G10]

Was the entire 6 tenth gap from the big back straight?
First 2 sectors look great on paper.

[Def]

Was the entire 6 tenth gap from the big back straight?
First 2 sectors look great on paper.

Yes

[Mcl_G10]

Was the entire 6 tenth gap from the big back straight?
First 2 sectors look great on paper.

Yes

Im at work so not managed to watch but imo thats fairly impressive and decent progress.
China is quite a long lap so to lose out to the merc on just 1 straight while matching them everywhere else is impressive from last weeks starting point.
Race pace is a different matter altogether.

[FittingMechanics]

I've posted this in the race thread, but I think it's useful to see here as well.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HDR2NjCa0AA ... ame=medium

I've checked the same. You can see how much earlier Russell lifts in T11. Both Russell and Antonelli lift on that straight well before the end of it. This gives them more energy for the back straight and they reach higher top speed gaining a lot of time. Rest of the lap between Norris and Mercedes looks very similar deployment wise, big difference is that Mercedes lift to T11.


What is interesting is that both McLaren and Ferrari have differences between the drivers (this is reason Leclerc had less speed on that straight). Cars don't use the same amount of energy on the same straights and this leads to differences.