2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[Macklaren]

Didn’t they both run their first Q3 runs on a used set? I’m not sure why people are so surprised to see a car that started from pole twice in the past three rounds on pole again.

Oscar himself literally said that his second—and only Q3 lap on new tyres—was horrendous and full of mistakes. Norris made a mistake worth three tenths according to the team’s data, as Stella pointed out. And now we’re pretending that McLaren isn’t the fastest car over one lap on a track like this, and that it’s just Lando suddenly pulling a Senna lap time time after time again.
And by the way, Norris gained only just over three and a half tenths in S1 on his pole lap compared with his best lap in Q2. And I’m not sure whether he was running on new or used tyres for that Q2 lap. Still a lot, but nothing close to the six tenths someone was talking about.

Both of Lando's Q3 runs were on new tires. The F1 telemetry (and sky) got it wrong when they said he used 2 Softs in Q1 {he only boxed for a wing adjustment) so he had to do one Q3 run on Used. Both were new runs.

On that note, do we think McLaren saving up a Medium for the race is an advantage vs Max and the Ferraris?

[FittingMechanics]

Didn’t they both run their first Q3 runs on a used set? I’m not sure why people are so surprised to see a car that started from pole twice in the past three rounds on pole again.

Oscar himself literally said that his second—and only Q3 lap on new tyres—was horrendous and full of mistakes. Norris made a mistake worth three tenths according to the team’s data, as Stella pointed out. And now we’re pretending that McLaren isn’t the fastest car over one lap on a track like this, and that it’s just Lando suddenly pulling a Senna lap time time after time again.
And by the way, Norris gained only just over three and a half tenths in S1 on his pole lap compared with his best lap in Q2. And I’m not sure whether he was running on new or used tyres for that Q2 lap. Still a lot, but nothing close to the six tenths someone was talking about.

No, team stream (app) said Norris was on new softs for the first run while Piastri was on used. This was because Norris had better lap in Q2 and went out on used for a second run in Q2 (again team stream).

I haven't done visual checks.

Q2 situation confirmed (Oscar new softs vs Lando used) visually and Norris confirmed on new softs for first Q3 run. Piastri camera didn't work as he was leaving pits but looks used.

So Norris did a bad first run which makes his second lap look amazing and Piastri did a bad second one.

EDIT: I just rewatched, Piastri did improve on his second run but only 2-3 tenths.

[Darth-Piekus]

Have you seen the no. of poles Charles has, while driving less than ideal cars?

Much less than the drivers above and today he had the ideal the car to get pole. The Ferrari all weekend was in front of Mclaren.

[AR3-GP]

Piastri is finished in these low downforce cars.

Tyre management proved to be one of the defining challenges of qualifying at the brand-new Madrid circuit. The high temperatures and long corners placed considerable demands on the tyres, making it particularly easy for drivers to overheat the rubber and lose performance.

“The tyres really struggle here with the heat and the long corners, so you can find yourself sliding around, losing more time, and being pushed further down the order,” Russell said.

https://www.f1technical.net/news/29304

Put them back in the high grip ground effect cars and he would be much closer to Lando again.

[AR3-GP]

I've now had a chance to watch Lando's pole lap. Consider that he's missed the final corner entirely...that's at least 3 tenths on that corner. My goodness the speed, but then it is as I predicted 1 week ago. and without the macarena....

Next GP is in Madrid and it should be perfect for the characteristics of Mclaren.

I expect Norris to win there with margins like Hungary.

[PlatinumZealot]

Not a bad defence of his championship I must say.

[Ground Effect]

Have you seen the no. of poles Charles has, while driving less than ideal cars?

Much less than the drivers above and today he had the ideal the car to get pole. The Ferrari all weekend was in front of Mclaren.

I think you're missing the context of the statement.

[Rikhart]

More like a Lewis Hamilton, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. Leclerc hasnt proven to me hes in that level yet. I still am trying to find out how he found 7 to 8 tenths because that is how much it was if we dont count the mistake.

So completely botching last sector is like some of the best in this sport? Please someone make it make sense.

[Emag]

More like a Lewis Hamilton, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. Leclerc hasnt proven to me hes in that level yet. I still am trying to find out how he found 7 to 8 tenths because that is how much it was if we dont count the mistake.

So completely botching last sector is like some of the best in this sport? Please someone make it make sense.

The Norris slander has got to stop at this point honestly. Maybe, just maybe you can look at this from the other direction? He had build up enough of a margin in the rest of the lap, that the mistake didn't matter and he put it on pole regardless.

He was pushing very hard and in one corner it slipped. Wasn't anywhere near a 28.2 first sector all weekend. Hovered around 28.6-28.9 for most of qualifying and then in the last lap he goes 4 tenths quicker than he ever went. That's not just car, clearly the lap was hooked up. If it was easy pace within the car, he would have been a 28.4 at least in the previous laps.

Second sector was pretty much spot on as well, on par with Max who had been dominating S2 all qualifying. And S3 was almost entirely perfect as well, with the exception of one corner. Let's wait and see in the race. If he wins by 30+ seconds then call it incompetence or lack of track time from FP2. But I am not convinced yet the car has this easy pace available. Oscar would have been 8 tenths back if he hadn't slipped in the last corner.

As for your last point, there's plenty of examples from the greats. Not all of them manage to put it on pole with a botched corner. One who did is below:

[Ben1980]

Im a bit wary about tyre deg, and the impact of missing a whole session. In Netherlands they didnt get ut right in the sprint and learnt.

But, its hard to rely on Oscar for tyre feedback.

[Darth-Piekus]

What Im wary off is the start. Norris has to make a good start this time and not lose position before turn 1.

[Zaamy]

What Im wary off is the start. Norris has to make a good start this time and not lose position before turn 1.

Yesterday all the junior series pole sitters lost the lead in turn 1, but today they both held it so there is some hope

[Darth-Piekus]

I agree in what Emag said. The lap from Lando yesterday was a Lap of the Gods. Why you may ask? Mclaren all weekend was 4 tenths behind Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari. Until Q2 nobody expected something more than 3rd or 4th row. To find 8 tenths (if we count the 3 tenths understeer at the end) out of nowhere between Q2 and Q3 is not just car. The time they had to make changes was simply not enough.

I hope so too Zaamy. We want a good start for once and keep that 1st place on that first lap but it won't be easy considering who are next and behind on him and P2 has the racing line.

[Mcl_G10]

Lando keep the lead and some trouble for kimi would be nice.

[Danzo84]

More like a Lewis Hamilton, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. Leclerc hasnt proven to me hes in that level yet. I still am trying to find out how he found 7 to 8 tenths because that is how much it was if we dont count the mistake.

So completely botching last sector is like some of the best in this sport? Please someone make it make sense.

Yet people still go on about verstappens lap in singapore where he botched that up and crashed as if it was the greatest lap in the history of f1.