2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[Ground Effect]

McLaren are not managing their drivers properly, it's like their powerless and just spectators like us.

[billamend]

The team is to blame. They can't expect Piastri and Norris to convene during the race and find an optimal way past Verstappen. The team needs to understand that beating other teams is higher priority and they need to communicate with the drivers.

The team is absolutely to blame, but refuse to put their foot down when it comes to Oscar. Last year Lando got repercussions for a move way less dangerous than this one, and then nothing happened to Oscar for a double DNF in the Austin Sprint.

But, Oscar is also to blame because he cannot drive clean. There are so many episodes where he ruins his race (or McLaren's) because of it.

[Darth-Piekus]

I agree with Fitting. The team should have swapped positions and let Norris the faster driver get to Max.

[the EDGE]

Anyone Wondering why Max resigned with Red Bull…? He wouldn’t put up with a slower teammate being allowed to battle him when he was trying to take a podium position

[Badger]

How is this on Piastri? Piastri covers the inside the entire time and Norris just gambles that he's going to move back over. People are so reactionary on this stuff.

[mwillems]

Next race we will be in contention. We'll struggle anywhere with big straights. Nothing to be done.

[Ground Effect]

How is this on Piastri? Piastri covers the inside the entire time and Norris just gambles that he's going to move back over. People are so reactionary on this stuff.

I'm not sure, but wasn't that Oscar's second defensive move at that point? I'll need to rewatch to confirm.

[E8404424]

How is this on Piastri? Piastri covers the inside the entire time and Norris just gambles that he's going to move back over. People are so reactionary on this stuff.

"How is this on Piastri ??"

Two reasons.

One .. because he is driving the car.
Two .. Read Number One again.

[Badger]

I just watched the onboard from both views. Oscar holds his line the entire time and Lando just puts himself on the grass thinking there's enough of a gap. If he spins there he probably collects both cars. Unnecessarily risky from Lando, Oscar did nothing wrong.

Here’s Oscar’s view.

[SilviuAgo]

The team should be more direct and clear. Why allow Verstappen to run away? Make them not fight each other if they are close to a guy in front and opportunity is there. If there is 10 laps left give clear instructions, Oscar has 4 laps to try and overtake if he can't, we swap and you try. Lando got P4 in the end. Such a shame we couldn't get VER and finish P3-P4.

The pace wasn't that bad. WDC is unreachable because Russell is so weak so ANT gets all the points.

I wonder if is not a good idea that some guys from McLaren pit wall to keep an eye also on this threat during races. Although we are some times very passional about our support for McLaren, our forum colleagues have better ideas and strategy options for the race.

As I said before the race P3-P4-P5 is possible today. Was P4-P5 in the end but also P3 was on the table. Being Monza and knowing McLaren straight line deficit, I will take it.

[SilviuAgo]

Now that's a Lando Norris start
Did he have energy issues or what?

Overnight, his mechanics tried to fix the major brake issues he'd had since FP3, but the fix didn't work.
After race start, he was fighting brakes that weren't working properly. At the restart his shifts and buttons stopped working and the car started going into false neutrals. He and his engineer were having to figure out what they could change to make the car drivable all race.

[CjC]

Me too.
Pleasantly surprised with the pace in the race. Towards the end of the race both Mclarens looked strong pace wise- Verstappen only finished ahead due to having fresher tyres. It’s another discussion whether that was better strategy by Red Bull.

If this was a ‘weak’ one then McLaren are in good shape

[Seerix]

P3 was doable without the VSC for Max, not terrible all things considered. Osc had some pace for once, the low tyre deg suits him, but finished behind Lando nonetheless. Lando spent quite a bit of time behind Gasly. I feel like he does it more often, he let's the race sort itself a bit and only pushes later on with tyres in better condition.

Just watched a replay and Lando's car went into false neutral when he cut the chicane on the last lap.

[FittingMechanics]

Without VSC we may even fight ANT for potential P2-P3.

"Grass" incident I don't really care either way, Norris did push into a gap that was too small (like Canada). I do however think Piastri fights him harder than most others. Maybe LEC-HAM can compare.

My issue is that the team lets them get into these situations even when it hurts their overall chances, like catching Verstappen.

[FittingMechanics]

Me too.
Pleasantly surprised with the pace in the race. Towards the end of the race both Mclarens looked strong pace wise- Verstappen only finished ahead due to having fresher tyres. It’s another discussion whether that was better strategy by Red Bull.

If this was a ‘weak’ one then McLaren are in good shape

Medium runners were on a weaker strategy but got lucky with the VSC. Without VSC they fade away like HAM or have to take a long stop.