2025 McLaren F1 Team

[bananapeel23]

Solid job by the team, Piastry will need to clear Russel in turn 1 and from there I think he will be able to control the race, where Lando will have a lot of work tomorrow, one mistake into turn 1 and the lap was done.

Piastri is a much better starter than Norris, so it probably won't be an issue unless someone gets a monster start. Obviously Sakhir is one of the most difficult tracks to start on with how slow and wide turn 1 is, but Piastri will probably be fine.

[Ben1980]

With the best car on the grid you would expect 1-2 to be easy.
Is Lando cracking under pressure?!
The only positive for tomorrow is that other have tyre deg,but it won't be easy for Lando being in the pack!

I dont think one is enough to say cracking.

[Mansell89]

Lando just needs to play the default media game, not say much, and just do him. He’s fast enough but just overthinks with the spotlight at the moment.

Ozzy just gets on with it.

Whilst it’s bad for us it’s great to see some speed in the Merc and Ferrari to keep the racing close.

All to play for tomorrow.

[BMMR61]

With the best car on the grid you would expect 1-2 to be easy.
Is Lando cracking under pressure?!
The only positive for tomorrow is that other have tyre deg,but it won't be easy for Lando being in the pack!

Somewhere I saw that the track temperature nosedived during qualifying. Anyone have anything???

At least this track is known for a number of good overtaking spots, Lando will need that and the tyre life, and better strategy than we've seen.

Oscar will need to see off George at T1, who can be very feisty. Other than that it's in his hands.

[Ben1980]

He is super dejected on interview as well. Taking full blame and stating he has no idea why he couldn't go quicker.
Doesn't really bode well.

He should be dejected. It will make no difference though.

[bananapeel23]

With the best car on the grid you would expect 1-2 to be easy.
Is Lando cracking under pressure?!
The only positive for tomorrow is that other have tyre deg,but it won't be easy for Lando being in the pack!

Somewhere I saw that the track temperature nosedived during qualifying. Anyone have anything???

At least this track is known for a number of good overtaking spots, Lando will need that and the tyre life, and better strategy than we've seen.

Oscar will need to see off George at T1, who can be very feisty. Other than that it's in his hands.

Lando will probably carve through the field. A 1-2 isn't even out of the question, but if he wants to fight for the win he really needs a pass or two on lap one, and then needs to clear the others fast enough that the frontrunners can't build a gap.

[BMMR61]

Lando just needs to play the default media game, not say much, and just do him. He’s fast enough but just overthinks with the spotlight at the moment.

Ozzy just gets on with it.

I've been saying it for too long. If he doesn't address mind management basics...... this time it's a clear WDC chance he's letting slip. The other fellow, well he just always looks so composed doesn't he?

[Matt2725]

With the best car on the grid you would expect 1-2 to be easy.
Is Lando cracking under pressure?!
The only positive for tomorrow is that other have tyre deg,but it won't be easy for Lando being in the pack!

Somewhere I saw that the track temperature nosedived during qualifying. Anyone have anything???

At least this track is known for a number of good overtaking spots, Lando will need that and the tyre life, and better strategy than we've seen.

Oscar will need to see off George at T1, who can be very feisty. Other than that it's in his hands.

Lando will probably carve through the field. A 1-2 isn't even out of the question, but if he wants to fight for the win he really needs a pass or two on lap one, and then needs to clear the others fast enough that the frontrunners can't build a gap.

We'll see, but the car doesn't seem that great in dirty air.

I almost expect him to be bundled up behind Max by the end of lap 1. In terms of the race, whoever gets through T1 first really for me.

[Mansell89]

Lando just needs to play the default media game, not say much, and just do him. He’s fast enough but just overthinks with the spotlight at the moment.

Ozzy just gets on with it.

I've been saying it for too long. If he doesn't address mind management basics...... this time it's a clear WDC chance he's letting slip. The other fellow, well he just always looks so composed doesn't he?

Yep- I’ve got no preference for either driver both are superbly fast and still both young- ideal lineup for the team but Lando hasn’t quite adjusted to life as one of the favourites to win races.

I think he will with time, but sometimes less is more with the F1 media.

Should be a great battle though through the year and that’s great for racing.

[SilviuAgo]

God. Some of you really are insufferable. Then he will do a good race or something and everyone will call it the drive of the century. As a point of note he's been mostly qualifying better than piastri so far this season but piastri hasn't received the same hate?

Also my thoughts. Formula 1 is transforming into football, where the team fans are starting blaming own players from the first minute. If they are losing are the worst players. If a win is on then are the best in the world. Sad.

It's sad too if some of us who have been regulars here choose which posts we redo and don't read based on whether they are regular wheezers. With over 100 pages and less than a sixth of the season gone this is going to be a huge thread when people just come on and vent. The DTS syndrome???

Don't remind me about DTS. An artificial show who is starting more and more to damage F1 than help. A lot of "keyboard" fans who main goal is to hate other 19 drivers than the favourite one.
Anyway...I still expect tomorrow Lando to fight back and to show the race pace that we saw yesterday in FP2. IMO P1-P2 is still possible. With a clean start from Oscar then the team may focus also on a right strategy for Lando and to let the "play safe" thing from Suzuka behind.

[Ground Effect]

Lando is turning into Checo Perez! Thank goodness we have two top drivers!

It's 2 each in 4 qualifying sessions!

He's too far from his team mate, on a track he's historically very strong. Honestly, I have zero issues with him getting beat in qualifying by Oscar, but I expect him to be right there with him. He's been struggling a bit more this weekend, even with 3 practice sessions. I'm just glad we have the luxury of two strong drivers.

[bananapeel23]

Somewhere I saw that the track temperature nosedived during qualifying. Anyone have anything???

At least this track is known for a number of good overtaking spots, Lando will need that and the tyre life, and better strategy than we've seen.

Oscar will need to see off George at T1, who can be very feisty. Other than that it's in his hands.

Lando will probably carve through the field. A 1-2 isn't even out of the question, but if he wants to fight for the win he really needs a pass or two on lap one, and then needs to clear the others fast enough that the frontrunners can't build a gap.

We'll see, but the car doesn't seem that great in dirty air.

I almost expect him to be bundled up behind Max by the end of lap 1. In terms of the race, whoever gets through T1 first really for me.

I wouldn't say it looks bad in dirty air. It certainly doesn't cook the tyres in it like some other cars do. The McLarens just seem to be able to sit there lap after lap after lap, whereas the Ferrari basically falls off a cliff eventually after sitting in dirty air.

[Sergej]

I think Lando is focusing too much in the media game of pretending he has not the fastest car, and he's feeling the pressure of knowing to have it. It's a pity (for him) because he doesn't lack speed, at all.

[Ben1980]

Lando is turning into Checo Perez! Thank goodness we have two top drivers!

It's 2 each in 4 qualifying sessions!

He's too far from his team mate, on a track he's historically very strong. Honestly, I have zero issues with him getting beat in qualifying by Oscar, but I expect him to be right there with him. He's been struggling a bit more this weekend, even with 3 practice sessions. I'm just glad we have the luxury of two strong drivers.

It's the first time, and can only presume a mistake. It happens. Now, if it becomes a theme, that's more of an issue.

[Ben1980]

I think Lando is focusing too much in the media game of pretending he has not the fastest car, and he's feeling the pressure of knowing to have it. It's a pity (for him) because he doesn't lack speed, at all.

I doubt he's focusing on the media much at all.