2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[Macklaren]

Not sure if there's suddenly a reading comprehension issue in here...
They. Are. Not. Missing. Anything.
You can only run 3 of the 5 days. If they actually run less than 3 days, then yes, they are missing something

[Ground Effect]

I think it's a bit odd to talk with certainty about things you have no access to confirm or deny. For what it's worth, this is the same Stella that told the world ahead of time that the MCL60 was going to start off poorly and strong performance would come later. Are they behind schedule because they saw there is a chance to push harder? It's possible. There's a 3 day behind the closed door testing, then there's 6 days of official testing, they've got filming days in their back pocket. So, what's the rush when you have the opportunity to push on? Saying it's a PR spin is strange, especially when they will show up for the test and still complete the maximum 3 days.

[Xero]

No team aspires to not do a shakedown and no team aspires to miss the 1st day of testing. This is not "the plan according to internal agenda" as you are also spinning. None of these are competitive advantages. This is waffle. We cannot be this gullible

You're implying missing day 1 of testing is a day missed. It's 3 days from 5, they could turn up day 3 and not be affected in the slightest (major PU issues aside).

Mclaren have more likely had delays, and things did not go to plan which is why they are not doing a shakedown and will miss the first day of testing. However, this unsavory version doesn't fit the PG rating that Mclaren sells.

On top of it all, Mclaren have arranged for "preview renders" to be shown to british journalist, and no one else...
As I said, Mclaren are jumping through hoops to manage perceptions of what is happening here...

You'd be just as well admitting you hope McLaren fail this season, because what you wrote is actual tripe. Agenda spinning and waffle indeed, but it's not coming from McLaren.

[the EDGE]

So the Mcl40 is currently running on a dyno at AVL in Austria

Does anyone know anything about this place? Presumably it’s a full car dyno, proving reliability?

Does that mean the car’s fully assembled? What sort of capabilities does this place have to test? presumably a rolling road, can it simulate wind, heat etc?

[_cerber1]

So the Mcl40 is currently running on a dyno at AVL in Austria

Does anyone know anything about this place? Presumably it’s a full car dyno, proving reliability?

Does that mean the car’s fully assembled? What sort of capabilities does this place have to test? presumably a rolling road, can it simulate wind, heat etc?

I know for a fact that teams periodically rent dynamometers from this company, and that it's incredibly expensive. Their dynamometer allows them to simulate engine and transmission loads. Honda also worked with them when they had vibration issues, and it paid off.

[SmallSoldier]

Reading the full article, at least according to Stella this was their plan as they wanted to push development as long as possible. So they intentionally sacrificed early days of test in order to bring the most developed car they can.

I'm kind of worried if there are problems but at the same time, I like that they are still taking things to the limit. It is similar to going out the last in qualifying, you usually get the best track but sometimes it hurts you.

I wouldn’t say they are “sacrificing” early days… There’s not a lot of benefit to run on day 1 of 5, if you can only run for 3 of those 5 days… you can run the last 3 and have the same benefit.

McLaren is been smart on the approach, brand new set of regulations… getting it right early in the first season can create an extended advantage… Bring the most developed car you can to the start, measure that against the competition, look at the what innovations / ideas your competitors have brought to the table… Use your development time / dollars allowance late in the season to evaluate your own solutions and those of the rest (specially when having the most limited allocation of time due to your Championship position the last 2 years).

[ME4ME]

On the one hand there might be multiple red flags on day one. Everyone will pick day 1 to be on track, and all of the worst unreliability will play out.

On the other hand, if the weather turns for the worse Mclaren might be caught out.

It's a gamle that might have its upside.

Also overnight learnings from the other Mercedes powered teams might benefit Mclaren on the 2nd day.

I don't buy into the extended development push though - it's an additional 24 hours which isn't much. I do buy the argument that they want to start testing with a raceable package rather than a glorified mule car. Makes sense to go to Australia with a package you know, and also makes sense to analyse the competition before comitting resources to a upgrade package.

[Badger]

I'd argue the extra time is more valuable on the other side of the test when you have real data to work on. An extra 48h in the sim isn't going to do that much after working on it for over a year. Not that any of this matters much.

[MrGapes]

No team aspires to not do a shakedown and no team aspires to miss the 1st day of testing. This is not "the plan according to internal agenda" as you are also spinning. None of these are competitive advantages. This is waffle. We cannot be this gullible

Mclaren have more likely had delays, and things did not go to plan which is why they are not doing a shakedown and will miss the first day of testing. However, this unsavory version doesn't fit the PG rating that Mclaren sells.

Well...I think this is totally it, not necessarily spinning but a huge press script instead of using "we are late". Being late two days to testing is not giving you an advantage or is anything you want, we discussed design and manufacturing times enough already.
This is the PR bullshit which I started to hate about McLaren. Not a single time they go on media is unscripted or honest.

They are going to AVL instead of a shakedown. Totally fine. I just do not understand, why they not just say it like it is.
Furthermore it would be interesting who else is at AVL.

Right — because even if this were true, a major sporting organisation should definitely announce they’re behind and invite 50 other outlets to pile on.

[basti313]

No team aspires to not do a shakedown and no team aspires to miss the 1st day of testing. This is not "the plan according to internal agenda" as you are also spinning. None of these are competitive advantages. This is waffle. We cannot be this gullible

Mclaren have more likely had delays, and things did not go to plan which is why they are not doing a shakedown and will miss the first day of testing. However, this unsavory version doesn't fit the PG rating that Mclaren sells.

Well...I think this is totally it, not necessarily spinning but a huge press script instead of using "we are late". Being late two days to testing is not giving you an advantage or is anything you want, we discussed design and manufacturing times enough already.
This is the PR bullshit which I started to hate about McLaren. Not a single time they go on media is unscripted or honest.

They are going to AVL instead of a shakedown. Totally fine. I just do not understand, why they not just say it like it is.
Furthermore it would be interesting who else is at AVL.

Right — because even if this were true, a major sporting organisation should definitely announce they’re behind and invite 50 other outlets to pile on.

Why "if this were true"? They are late.

As mentioned, the question is if anyone else just booked AVL before. Would be interesting if the RedBull trucks leave Graz when McLaren arrives.

[lio007]

Well...I think this is totally it, not necessarily spinning but a huge press script instead of using "we are late". Being late two days to testing is not giving you an advantage or is anything you want, we discussed design and manufacturing times enough already.
This is the PR bullshit which I started to hate about McLaren. Not a single time they go on media is unscripted or honest.

They are going to AVL instead of a shakedown. Totally fine. I just do not understand, why they not just say it like it is.
Furthermore it would be interesting who else is at AVL.

Right — because even if this were true, a major sporting organisation should definitely announce they’re behind and invite 50 other outlets to pile on.

Why "if this were true"? They are late.

As mentioned, the question is if anyone else just booked AVL before. Would be interesting if the RedBull trucks leave Graz when McLaren arrives.

I think Red Bull has its own in their Milton Keynes factory.

[JPower]

No team aspires to not do a shakedown and no team aspires to miss the 1st day of testing. This is not "the plan according to internal agenda" as you are also spinning. None of these are competitive advantages. This is waffle. We cannot be this gullible

Mclaren have more likely had delays, and things did not go to plan which is why they are not doing a shakedown and will miss the first day of testing. However, this unsavory version doesn't fit the PG rating that Mclaren sells.

Well...I think this is totally it, not necessarily spinning but a huge press script instead of using "we are late". Being late two days to testing is not giving you an advantage or is anything you want, we discussed design and manufacturing times enough already.
This is the PR bullshit which I started to hate about McLaren. Not a single time they go on media is unscripted or honest.

They are going to AVL instead of a shakedown. Totally fine. I just do not understand, why they not just say it like it is.
Furthermore it would be interesting who else is at AVL.

I think many of the teams use AVL's services. I know they've worked with Ferrari on PU development since the 2022 reg change.

[mwillems]

Hmm, if they are late, 2 days late seems immaterial at this stage. The car is built, on the dyno and will max the three days in testing whilst giving others 2 less days to respond to their designs.

No doubt Mclaren will have watchers at the track from day 1.

Seems like everything is on track but having cut it fine, which is the name of the game.

[FittingMechanics]

I do think the reaction is overblown and people who cheer for other teams want the doom and gloom. I don't get this feeling at all from Stella and Marshall, they seemed in good spirits and were quite strong in saying they will be there on Day 2 or Day 3 depending what looks the best for them.

Having more days after the test would be beneficial if McLaren intended to develop new things for the start of the season, but they are not planning to do that. They will postpone the updates until they get on top of this car (and are able to copy any great solution they see).

BTW we all can remember tests in previous years where some of the top teams would bring two versions of the car, old/basic one and a new one. They would run the old one for first few days and then bring the new car later. You could easily say they were "late".

[Emag]

Somehow that was expected:





Article here: https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mcla ... on-opener/

By the way, if what The Race says about the sidepods is true and they are strictly downwashing, then it's likely McLaren won't have the slotted diffuser like Mercedes and Ferrari.

Not saying it means anything, since we don't really know anything at the moment. I am just making an observation.