2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[FittingMechanics]

https://i.postimg.cc/8cQK3spd/image.png

Lando was a couple of tenths per lap (on average) faster than Oscar even before he started yo-yoing with Max. If anything, Max helped Oscar by giving him overtake and slipstream and pulled him along. Oscar wasn't anywhere near a 1.24 for example. So no, they didn't have equal chances of getting Max. The team had this data. They knew Lando was faster, and didn't even try to get the podium.

And IIRC Oscar only yoyoed once. So he mostly benefitted from the slipstream and increased recovery.

It is very clear that Norris was faster than Piastri in the second part of the race. I also think that it's possible Piastri could have overtaken Max as well (and kept it) if McLarens didn't get into a yoyo fight.

[mwillems]

So Gasly did prove my point. I rest my case, your honour

How?

the Alpine was too 'underwinged'. Vastly superior top speed, but couldn't 'keep up' with the other top cars, because of inferior downforce in the Lesmos, Ascari and Parabolica. That's what would've happened to McLaren hadn't their floor been as good as what it is. Can you imagine running with that rear wing and still fighting Verstappen with mega old tyres compared to what the Redbull had ? 4th and 5th in a gear-ratio compromized track like Monza is a 'win' in my books.

The whole car was stripped back, not just the wing, and his Q position was due to a tow that the team said gave a good few tenths which I read as at 2 to 3 tenths, if not more. Tyre wear is also quite low here

His race was entirely expected. But even if you want to do comparisons, the chassis, traction etc and the way the car handles tyres is as important. So putting it all on a wing seems more like confirmation bias.

The Mclaren is a great package and a fair portion of this will be the chassis. But I've no doubt the floor is doing a great job.

Is it a super floor? I can't see a single way you can isolate that from all the other factors

[crapu7]

If Mclaren fixes the heavy braking characteristics of the car, Norris will be in contention for the win on Madring I think

[Gillian]

https://i.postimg.cc/8cQK3spd/image.png

Lando was a couple of tenths per lap (on average) faster than Oscar even before he started yo-yoing with Max. If anything, Max helped Oscar by giving him overtake and slipstream and pulled him along. Oscar wasn't anywhere near a 1.24 for example. So no, they didn't have equal chances of getting Max. The team had this data. They knew Lando was faster, and didn't even try to get the podium.

And IIRC Oscar only yoyoed once. So he mostly benefitted from the slipstream and increased recovery.

It is very clear that Norris was faster than Piastri in the second part of the race. I also think that it's possible Piastri could have overtaken Max as well (and kept it) if McLarens didn't get into a yoyo fight.

The thing that helped Piastri was low deg. Norris is just better in that aspec, but it mattered less this race.

[mwillems]

If Mclaren fixes the heavy braking characteristics of the car, Norris will be in contention for the win on Madring I think

It will be in contention anyway.

This was a strong performance for what was going to be one of our weakest tracks.

[Darth-Piekus]

Madring should be suitable to Mclaren.

[mwillems]

https://i.postimg.cc/8cQK3spd/image.png

Lando was a couple of tenths per lap (on average) faster than Oscar even before he started yo-yoing with Max. If anything, Max helped Oscar by giving him overtake and slipstream and pulled him along. Oscar wasn't anywhere near a 1.24 for example. So no, they didn't have equal chances of getting Max. The team had this data. They knew Lando was faster, and didn't even try to get the podium.

And IIRC Oscar only yoyoed once. So he mostly benefitted from the slipstream and increased recovery.

It is very clear that Norris was faster than Piastri in the second part of the race. I also think that it's possible Piastri could have overtaken Max as well (and kept it) if McLarens didn't get into a yoyo fight.

The thing that helped Piastri was low deg. Norris is just better in that aspec, but it mattered less this race.

Yes. Tyres are the difference between Lando and Oscar this year. He's had a phenomenal trajectory and done more in a championship than the likes of Russel and Leclerc.

But it is what it is. He needs to learn to drive these cars in this formula. I don't think he will. But unless we can get someone special who would replace him, he'll be with the team.

[Darth-Piekus]

Yes. Tyres are the difference between Lando and Oscar this year. He's had a phenomenal trajectory and done more in a championship than the likes of Russel and Leclerc.

But it is what it is. He needs to learn to drive these cars in this formula. I don't think he will. But unless we can get someone special who would replace him, he'll be with the team.

There is always the choice of Lewis Hamilton ending his career with the team that helped his career or maybe a third time's the charm with Fernando Alonso. I would love to give them one last chance but that is my personal preference.

[Gillian]

And IIRC Oscar only yoyoed once. So he mostly benefitted from the slipstream and increased recovery.

It is very clear that Norris was faster than Piastri in the second part of the race. I also think that it's possible Piastri could have overtaken Max as well (and kept it) if McLarens didn't get into a yoyo fight.

The thing that helped Piastri was low deg. Norris is just better in that aspec, but it mattered less this race.

Yes. Tyres are the difference between Lando and Oscar this year. He's had a phenomenal trajectory and done more in a championship than the likes of Russel and Leclerc.

But it is what it is. He needs to learn to drive these cars in this formula. I don't think he will. But unless we can get someone special who would replace him, he'll be with the team.

Tbh I think it is fine as it is because Norris is capable of winning a championship and Piastri is able to back him up. If anything it would be easier for the entire team if the gap could be slightly bigger between the two (with bigger I probably mean more consistent).

Ofcourse from Piastri's perspective it would be preferable for him to improve this aspect of his racing because we have seen what we can do when that is no longer a factor. I personally have my doubts about it like you do.

[Gillian]

Yes. Tyres are the difference between Lando and Oscar this year. He's had a phenomenal trajectory and done more in a championship than the likes of Russel and Leclerc.

But it is what it is. He needs to learn to drive these cars in this formula. I don't think he will. But unless we can get someone special who would replace him, he'll be with the team.

There is always the choice of Lewis Hamilton ending his career with the team that helped his career or maybe a third time's the charm with Fernando Alonso. I would love to give them one last chance but that is my personal preference.

I share the sentiment but I think it's too late for either of them. They're both past their prime and I have high doubts they would fair any better against Norris than Piastri. Would not make any sense for the team either.

[FittingMechanics]

https://i.postimg.cc/8cQK3spd/image.png

Lando was a couple of tenths per lap (on average) faster than Oscar even before he started yo-yoing with Max. If anything, Max helped Oscar by giving him overtake and slipstream and pulled him along. Oscar wasn't anywhere near a 1.24 for example. So no, they didn't have equal chances of getting Max. The team had this data. They knew Lando was faster, and didn't even try to get the podium.

And IIRC Oscar only yoyoed once. So he mostly benefitted from the slipstream and increased recovery.

It is very clear that Norris was faster than Piastri in the second part of the race. I also think that it's possible Piastri could have overtaken Max as well (and kept it) if McLarens didn't get into a yoyo fight.

The thing that helped Piastri was low deg. Norris is just better in that aspec, but it mattered less this race.

This probably helped a lot.

Btw I haven't seen many people talk about it here, but on Twitter there was a lot of talk that Lando had brake issues and transmission issues. Not sure what was the source of that.

[SilviuAgo]

And IIRC Oscar only yoyoed once. So he mostly benefitted from the slipstream and increased recovery.

It is very clear that Norris was faster than Piastri in the second part of the race. I also think that it's possible Piastri could have overtaken Max as well (and kept it) if McLarens didn't get into a yoyo fight.

The thing that helped Piastri was low deg. Norris is just better in that aspec, but it mattered less this race.

This probably helped a lot.

Btw I haven't seen many people talk about it here, but on Twitter there was a lot of talk that Lando had brake issues and transmission issues. Not sure what was the source of that.

Yes he had a lot of issues during the race, supplementary with the ones related to brakes, mentioned also on F1 feed during qualifying.

One of the posts also on reddit. Lando was managing far more than people realized.

[SilviuAgo]

And here you can see Lando's car going into false neutral on he last lap when trying to pass Oscar in T1:

[Darth-Piekus]

Anything new coming in Madrid in terms of upgrades?

[SilviuAgo]

Anything new coming in Madrid in terms of upgrades?

Stella said Baku so I am not expecting anything new in Spain.