2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[aberracus]

I've said it before, but I think they should just bite the bullet and make the cars slower and limit both deployment rate and capacity. Instead of having these burst accelerations that dump the battery in 3 seconds, they have to allow for softer mappings and enforce them so that it empties only up to a specified percentage of the total capacity on a given straight.

It would remove super clipping (on some tracks they might still clip on the top end), make recharging easier and overall bring back the driver factor in most corners. The downside is that the cars will probably be 2-3 seconds slower (or more depending on track). I personally don't care that much about laptimes if it improves the bullsh*t they created with this ruleset.

This is the only rational solution, it means not inventing technology or changing hardware, it can be done easily with mapping, and really we will not note in plain sight that the cars are 2 seconds slower over a lap.
lets hope mercedes (toto) accept this and they not go with a middle solution like reducing power to only 300 kw we need at least 250 kw and maybe 200 kw on spa Baku and Monza.

is it possible to regenerate only with brakes? that would be great.

[maxxer]

I've said it before, but I think they should just bite the bullet and make the cars slower and limit both deployment rate and capacity. Instead of having these burst accelerations that dump the battery in 3 seconds, they have to allow for softer mappings and enforce them so that it empties only up to a specified percentage of the total capacity on a given straight.

It would remove super clipping (on some tracks they might still clip on the top end), make recharging easier and overall bring back the driver factor in most corners. The downside is that the cars will probably be 2-3 seconds slower (or more depending on track). I personally don't care that much about laptimes if it improves the bullsh*t they created with this ruleset.

This is the only rational solution, it means not inventing technology or changing hardware, it can be done easily with mapping, and really we will not note in plain sight that the cars are 2 seconds slower over a lap.
lets hope mercedes (toto) accept this and they not go with a middle solution like reducing power to only 300 kw we need at least 250 kw and maybe 200 kw on spa Baku and Monza.

is it possible to regenerate only with brakes? that would be great.

I would vote for, but hey would also need to do something about the 50 kph loss when charging I guess

[BMMR61]

Common sense would mean, at minimum, reduction of the deployment of the battery so that they don't "drain the tank" in the first part of the lap. The regulators aren't going to do a U turn on the 50/50 ICE/BE other than by slight of hand that doesn't leave them to the savage mercy of the manufacturers, and especially the likes of Audi who were wooed into F1 by, essentially, green policy promises for 2026-29. So we will be faced with a long march of measures and counter measures as this first iteration has holes like Swiss cheese. Get used to it folks, they will try to make it fun for the fan, maybe the first big casualty will be Max who is ambivalent about it all.

Meanwhile, back in McLaren World...... the very pragmatic and brilliant senior engineering guys at Mac will be using their aerodesign dominance to get the MCL40 more planted, once they smooth out the power delivery, whichhas already leapt ahead over the first three Grands Prix. I am optimistic that the obvious performance gap to Mercedes will be whittled away to a tenth or less by the mid season, who knows McLaren could be top dog again by the end of the season. Oscar's immaculate drive at Suzuka (his whole weekend) gives me great confidence that this missed win opportunity will be soon forgotten in light of winning results. Mercedes have also had a bit of luck along the way, McLaren none, so the 89 point gap is flattering.

[WardenOfTheNorth]

In a funny way, the current racing (and qualifying) is emblematic of planning a long trip in an electric vehicle. Working out when to recharge!

Spoken like someone who has never owned a modern EV.

You charge when you stop to empty your bladder and or to take a break as recommended by road safety groups.

Rapid chargers and modern batteries mean that in the time it takes to walk to the loo, empty your bladder, grab a coffee and walk back to your car, you've added well over 100 miles of range. And you weren't at zero when you stopped.

EV range and charger distribution mean that, unless you're going to a sparse rural area, range anxiety is a thing of the past.

Now, what F1 needs to do is open up the battery rules. Specify a size and weight limit and leave the capacity, charge rates etc open. Allow teams to source them separately from the ICE if they want.

Get the likes of BYD involved and very soon we'll have batteries that are the same size and weight, but with a much higher capacity.

[De Wet]

I cant wait to see the real MP4-40 at Miami. One month cant pass fast enough.

MP4-40

[Darth-Piekus]

I cant wait to see the real MP4-40 at Miami. One month cant pass fast enough.

MP4-40

Meant to say MCL-40. If it was still the MP4 it would be 41.

[BMMR61]

In a funny way, the current racing (and qualifying) is emblematic of planning a long trip in an electric vehicle. Working out when to recharge!

Spoken like someone who has never owned a modern EV.

You charge when you stop to empty your bladder and or to take a break as recommended by road safety groups.

Rapid chargers and modern batteries mean that in the time it takes to walk to the loo, empty your bladder, grab a coffee and walk back to your car, you've added well over 100 miles of range. And you weren't at zero when you stopped.

EV range and charger distribution mean that, unless you're going to a sparse rural area, range anxiety is a thing of the past.

Now, what F1 needs to do is open up the battery rules. Specify a size and weight limit and leave the capacity, charge rates etc open. Allow teams to source them separately from the ICE if they want.

Get the likes of BYD involved and very soon we'll have batteries that are the same size and weight, but with a much higher capacity.

This isn't the place for me to debunk your argument, suffice to say EVs may work in your northern geographic/usage environment, and definitely don't in my southern long distance one.

Using F1 to pioneer, or to wave flags for new technologies for consumers died out about half a century ago. We'll have to see if techno approaches to "the pinnacle of motorsports" that appear to be gimmicky resonate with the public or not.

[Macklaren]

Meanwhile, back in McLaren World...... the very pragmatic and brilliant senior engineering guys at Mac will be using their aerodesign dominance to get the MCL40 more planted, once they smooth out the power delivery, whichhas already leapt ahead over the first three Grands Prix. I am optimistic that the obvious performance gap to Mercedes will be whittled away to a tenth or less by the mid season, who knows McLaren could be top dog again by the end of the season. Oscar's immaculate drive at Suzuka (his whole weekend) gives me great confidence that this missed win opportunity will be soon forgotten in light of winning results. Mercedes have also had a bit of luck along the way, McLaren none, so the 89 point gap is flattering.

I think we will soon see that the MCL40's unique short wheelbase will prove to be a masterstroke that others can't quickly copy. The downforce penalty doesn't matter with these new regs but a lighter and shorter car will help increase cornering speeds while also helping on straights without resorting to gimmicks like macarena wings. And this was only possible due to McLaren's internal cooling genius that we first saw last year (and also why rob Marshall was boasting/complaining about having a 5 inch shorter radiator)

[BMMR61]

Meanwhile, back in McLaren World...... the very pragmatic and brilliant senior engineering guys at Mac will be using their aerodesign dominance to get the MCL40 more planted, once they smooth out the power delivery, whichhas already leapt ahead over the first three Grands Prix. I am optimistic that the obvious performance gap to Mercedes will be whittled away to a tenth or less by the mid season, who knows McLaren could be top dog again by the end of the season. Oscar's immaculate drive at Suzuka (his whole weekend) gives me great confidence that this missed win opportunity will be soon forgotten in light of winning results. Mercedes have also had a bit of luck along the way, McLaren none, so the 89 point gap is flattering.

I think we will soon see that the MCL40's unique short wheelbase will prove to be a masterstroke that others can't quickly copy. The downforce penalty doesn't matter with these new regs but a lighter and shorter car will help increase cornering speeds while also helping on straights without resorting to gimmicks like macarena wings. And this was only possible due to McLaren's internal cooling genius that we first saw last year (and also why rob Marshall was boasting/complaining about having a 5 inch shorter radiator)

Appreciate the insight into the MCL40 architecture. BTW the noises that I think we must assume are actually coming out of the McLaren factory are very positive about Miami being a major step up. It's not like Andrea to do a lot of chest beating so they must be seeing some big numbers - I've heard it now from several reputable sources. The bad news is we have a long wait.

[SilviuAgo]

One question if you know it: why McLaren decided for 2026 to remove driver number from the sharkfin?



is for the first time in approx 10 years (since 2017 MCL32) they are doing this.

[FittingMechanics]

My guess is that it is open sponsorship spot.

[SilviuAgo]

My guess is that it is open sponsorship spot.

It can be a reason but imo this livery is terrible for sponsors. Except Gemini, the rest is a mess. Even that idea of putting OKX and Mastercard together in the same area, is a bad choice. Last year was much better.

ps: and cause is almost Easter for our Catholic brothers: Happy Easter and let's bring on Miami with another top up level for MCL40!

[johnnycesup]

It can be a reason but imo this livery is terrible for sponsors. Except Gemini, the rest is a mess. Even that idea of putting OKX and Mastercard together in the same area, is a bad choice. Last year was much better.

I think it's also that the current livery had to be designed (and the sponsors placement decided in their contracts) before the car's actual shape was 100% finalised. In the previous regulations, the sidepod wall sponsorship position was actually quite decent, but in the current McLaren car it's too narrow. Also the "new" Mastercard logo is trash, minimalism going way too far

[mclaren_mircea]

https://www.intellinews.com/gulf-war-ii ... se-430347/
Indirectly about Mclaren. Their ownership (compared to other F1 parent companies) is by far the most affected by this madness that Trump unleashed in the Middle East.
If the war drags on a little bit longer, Mumtakalat will collapse because of their aluminium and other facilities are hit or blocked for proper functioning. Because of the war just until this point (April 2026) the Bahrain economy debt to GDP will rise to 150% more than 16% anually. Mumtakalat does not hold the vast resources that Kuweit or Qatar holds.

Mod edit…
This post has been approved by me as it pertains directly to the team ownership and the potential effects on the team ownership.

But…

…politics…

…so keep any comments related to the team.

[proteus]

It can be a reason but imo this livery is terrible for sponsors. Except Gemini, the rest is a mess. Even that idea of putting OKX and Mastercard together in the same area, is a bad choice. Last year was much better.

I think it's also that the current livery had to be designed (and the sponsors placement decided in their contracts) before the car's actual shape was 100% finalised. In the previous regulations, the sidepod wall sponsorship position was actually quite decent, but in the current McLaren car it's too narrow. Also the "new" Mastercard logo is trash, minimalism going way too far

This is the way Mastercard presents itself everywhere now. It is interesting that they have ditched the writing of Mastercard on their logo. Their old branding was much better in my opinion.