2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[Darth-Piekus]

But if you think of it the two Ferraris had the better tyre at the start and were clearly much faster (even taking better exits at the last turn before the straight) but none of them tried at least a divebomb. I dont think its that easy in such a small straight even with a tyre advantage.

[rbirules]

But if you think of it the two Ferraris had the better tyre at the start and were clearly much faster (even taking better exits at the last turn before the straight) but none of them tried at least a divebomb. I dont think its that easy in such a small straight even with a tyre advantage.

Correct, an advantage of one compound softer with similar life was not enough of a difference. Lando had a massive tire offset, 20 laps, that's why Kimi didn't put up much of a fight. Or the lead driver had to make a mistake (not paying attention, horrible exit from the last corner, etc.) for a passing attempt to even be possible.

Max easily passed Lawson down the straight (right before passing Lewis) on lap 16, because he both had a better car and tires that were 15 laps newer (despite being one compound harder).

[SilviuAgo]

On a short note, Happy Birthday to Fernando. For me, him and Zak are the ones that made McLaren what it is now. I still remember the 2017 - 2018 period like was yesterday. All his comments about the GP2 engine, about reliability, about speed, about development, made McLaren to drop Honda engines, to realize in 2018 that not only the engine was a big issue, to change technical department, to bring two very young drivers in 2019 (Lando and Carlos) and to begin a journey that brought us so much happiness after Singapore and Abu Dhabi 2025. So again, Thank You Fernando for what you have done for McLaren and Happy 45!

[Slahinki]

It's a shame he never got any championships over the course of his McLaren stints, would have been quite the name to add to the list.

[FittingMechanics]

It's a shame he never got any championships over the course of his McLaren stints, would have been quite the name to add to the list.

I'm still mad about 2007. McLaren should have given some priority to Alonso and sealed the championship. Instead allowed them to fight and cause Alonso to leave.