2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[Macklaren]

And whats happening with the upgrades? The team was doing so well bringing good batches for 3 straight years. In fact they were the best. What happened this time?

The front wing was tested here for further development and use from Spain onward. There will be more new parts in Spain, which will also be the first truly representative track of the season.
I expect our new triple rear wing appendage to stay on the car tomorrow

It was interesting that the McLarens rode the kerbs less than anyone in both FPs. This has historically been a strength of the car, esp. last year. Wonder if there was a setup issue or team was just not pushing

[Darth-Piekus]

What do you mean triple rear wing? Whats different that the other teams?

[CjC]

Just a bad day all round. Not having any pace sounds genuine.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... 524uq0Zv4R

[Darth-Piekus]

I remember the team not having pace during practises in Canada and even in Q1 and Q2 but they managed a speedy last lap to bring them behind the two Mercedes. There is still one more Practise and I believe the team will find a solution.

After all we aren't gonna be champions anywhere this year so we might as well enjoy our race to the top. This is our target. To have the best car (along with reliability) by the end and get some victories on merit.

[Badger]

Short wheelbase and short gear ratios seems to not bring any benefit at all on the track where it should matter most. Weird and worrying.

[AR3-GP]

They taped over the neutral switch for "aero purposes", and as a result the Marshalls could not activate the gearbox neutral.

[CjC]

Stupid by McLaren really but as we’ve seen in many cases, the FIA find a slight misdemeanour and whip everyone with it.

[SilviuAgo]

Looking at this post what I found intrigue is the fact that, imo, this was the (main) reason McLaren entered Formula E: to gather a lot of experience on the electrical side of the cars, to be prepared for 2026 Formula 1 regs. After they learned the lessons they decided to stop the E project and revert to more classic racing series like F1, Indy, Hypercars. And now, we see that almost all their problems are on the electrical side of the car (engine or not related).

[les arcs]

Stupid by McLaren really but as we’ve seen in many cases, the FIA find a slight misdemeanour and whip everyone with it.

Slight misdemeanour? So putting the marshals in danger is a misdemeanour? Causing a possible red flag is a misdemeanour?

[Darth-Piekus]

I will have to agree. The team while champions on the last two years are still behaving like a midfield one making amateurish mistakes in basic rules. Not only that but they should start building some political power because in the last 20 years they arent getting treated equally like Mercedes and Red Bull (though yesterday had nothing to do with that).

[search]

it's not an "amateurish mistake" if they did it "for aerodynamic purposes", as emphasized in the statement above, but done on purpose to gain an advantage from it.

Of course this must come with a heavy penalty - they couldn't even complain if it was more severe tbh.

[FittingMechanics]

I doubt it was a intentional thing as it makes no sense to risk a penalty in free practices.

In quali and races for sure but if they were aware it could make the button not work they wouldn't tape it in free practices.

[Darth-Piekus]

In any case the team should start behaving like a Championship Winner instead of a Midfield. I don't know if they are still rebuilding but they need something better in that department. And while Andrea Stella has done a fantastic job so far along with Zak Brown bringing the team from nothing into a championship winner they cannot go conservative next year ever again waiting to understand the car and things. Instead they have to make risks and set the pace.

Watching FP3 and again the car isn't up to either Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari. There is a huge difference which is very strange.

Correction. It's closer than FP1 and FP2 but not close for pole yet. 8 tenths is still too much. Let's see how FP3 evolves. Mercedes though started pushing.

[Watto]

I doubt it was a intentional thing as it makes no sense to risk a penalty in free practices.

In quali and races for sure but if they were aware it could make the button not work they wouldn't tape it in free practices.

But at least as I saw, McLaren said a special tool was needed to activate the button. They didn't go into any details as to what, i.e remove the tape, pierce the tape etc.

I guess the tape in normal use to cover gaps etc they had a tool to remove it so it didn't come off on its own. And having to over the button was an oversight but...

[CjC]

Stupid by McLaren really but as we’ve seen in many cases, the FIA find a slight misdemeanour and whip everyone with it.

Slight misdemeanour? So putting the marshals in danger is a misdemeanour? Causing a possible red flag is a misdemeanour?

Yes absolutely, I’m not the one handing out the regulations- the FIA think its a slight misdemeanour considering the pathetic penalty that they have handed to both the Racing Bull team last race and McLaren at this one for the same breach of
regulation.