2025 McLaren F1 Team

[FittingMechanics]

I do think this once again proves that the track position is king. It would have been a different sprint if they qualified ahead.

With big changes to suspension McLaren made before the season, looks like they are not on top of setup at the moment (especially with just one FP to setup).

[Darth-Piekus]

Qualifying time and it's time for the team to redeem themselves. No more team orders between drivers as everytime they give orders Norris underperforms a race later.

[mwillems]

Lando still struggling to get the front to turn in at the hairpin.

[Ben1980]

He really doesn't seem to be on top of the car this weekend.

[Darth-Piekus]

I hope Lando gets it together as I don't feel confident he can be champion unless he can have a rocket ship of a car and so far it doesn't seem to be the case in China. Is it a problem in psychology? I hope for the sake of our sanity he will make me eat my words.

[Ben1980]

Think Brundle just nailed it. When Lando is confident he will smash it. But, if he isn't confident he can look a bit all over.

You do worry, that this car has a smaller operating window than previous.

[Darth-Piekus]

On one thing I understand that Norris hasn't been at the front like Hamilton or Verstappen or battled for a championship but if he wants to be champion he should not make any more mediocre performances.

Now for Q3 to repeat that performance. Two tries with new tyres.

[mwillems]

I still think setup was part of it. Normal service appears to be resuming, Ferrari drop back.

Wether the Mclaren is just better with a setup for a longer race or just that Ferrari did a better job of dialling in for sprint, I don't know. Time will tell.

[FittingMechanics]

I still think setup was part of it. Normal service appears to be resuming, Ferrari drop back.

Wether the Mclaren is just better with a setup for a longer race or just that Ferrari did a better job of dialling in for sprint, I don't know. Time will tell.

It almost looks like the track (or pressures) moved toward Ferrari for the sprint race but moved away from their qualy setup.

[Emag]

I still think setup was part of it. Normal service appears to be resuming, Ferrari drop back.

Wether the Mclaren is just better with a setup for a longer race or just that Ferrari did a better job of dialling in for sprint, I don't know. Time will tell.

Either track conditions are worse today, or everyone changed things to give up some pace in exchange for tire life because deg was horrible in the sprint. Lewis set a 1:30.8 for sprint quali so they've actually taken a step back today (could be saving it all for Q3 though)

[Darth-Piekus]

What was the temperature for Sprint Qualifying, Spring Race and Race Qualifying? Perhaps our car has huge changes in performance due to temperature.

[mwillems]

I still think setup was part of it. Normal service appears to be resuming, Ferrari drop back.

Wether the Mclaren is just better with a setup for a longer race or just that Ferrari did a better job of dialling in for sprint, I don't know. Time will tell.

Either track conditions are worse today, or everyone changed things to give up some pace in exchange for tire life because deg was horrible in the sprint. Lewis set a 1:30.8 for sprint quali so they've actually taken a step back today (could be saving it all for Q3 though)

It could be track conditions, it is warmer today, slightly less windy although Lando still seems to have tbe same issues but is managing to get his laps together. Tire pressures might be a reason, but this falls into the race setup category.

Time will tell, but the Mclaren looks fast all weekend again.

[Ben1980]

Great run for Oscar.

Russell out of nowhere. But 1 and 3 isn't bad.

[mwillems]

Oscar's first pole, totally deserved. Great drive from Oscar, good job by both.

Merc still showing they have pace.

[Darth-Piekus]

Told ya. Let Oscar fight for the championship. No more team orders. The kid has the capabilities to be champion.