2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[rbirules]

But if you think of it the two Ferraris had the better tyre at the start and were clearly much faster (even taking better exits at the last turn before the straight) but none of them tried at least a divebomb. I dont think its that easy in such a small straight even with a tyre advantage.

Correct, an advantage of one compound softer with similar life was not enough of a difference. Lando had a massive tire offset, 20 laps, that's why Kimi didn't put up much of a fight. Or the lead driver had to make a mistake (not paying attention, horrible exit from the last corner, etc.) for a passing attempt to even be possible.

Max easily passed Lawson down the straight (right before passing Lewis) on lap 16, because he both had a better car and tires that were 15 laps newer (despite being one compound harder).

[SilviuAgo]

On a short note, Happy Birthday to Fernando. For me, him and Zak are the ones that made McLaren what it is now. I still remember the 2017 - 2018 period like was yesterday. All his comments about the GP2 engine, about reliability, about speed, about development, made McLaren to drop Honda engines, to realize in 2018 that not only the engine was a big issue, to change technical department, to bring two very young drivers in 2019 (Lando and Carlos) and to begin a journey that brought us so much happiness after Singapore and Abu Dhabi 2025. So again, Thank You Fernando for what you have done for McLaren and Happy 45!

[Slahinki]

It's a shame he never got any championships over the course of his McLaren stints, would have been quite the name to add to the list.

[FittingMechanics]

It's a shame he never got any championships over the course of his McLaren stints, would have been quite the name to add to the list.

I'm still mad about 2007. McLaren should have given some priority to Alonso and sealed the championship. Instead allowed them to fight and cause Alonso to leave.

[De Wet]

It's a shame he never got any championships over the course of his McLaren stints, would have been quite the name to add to the list.

I'm still mad about 2007. McLaren should have given some priority to Alonso and sealed the championship. Instead allowed them to fight and cause Alonso to leave.

Me too. Ron's biggest mistake.

[CjC]

I think Hamilton’s ascent took everyone by surprise. No one knew how good he was!

[mwillems]

It's a shame he never got any championships over the course of his McLaren stints, would have been quite the name to add to the list.

I'm still mad about 2007. McLaren should have given some priority to Alonso and sealed the championship. Instead allowed them to fight and cause Alonso to leave.

Me too. Ron's biggest mistake.

That fight was inevitable. And if you've got a kid coming in who can challenge one of the F1 greats from the outset, then personally i let them fight. Hamilton cut his teeth that year in the biggest way possible.

Personally I'm about fair racing and not retarding any driver. If Alonso has any complaints, he should complain that he wasn't fast enough against a rookie.

[Balalu]

I'm still mad about 2007. McLaren should have given some priority to Alonso and sealed the championship. Instead allowed them to fight and cause Alonso to leave.

Me too. Ron's biggest mistake.

That fight was inevitable. And if you've got a kid coming in who can challenge one of the F1 greats from the outset, then personally i let them fight. Hamilton cut his teeth that year in the biggest way possible.

Personally I'm about fair racing and not retarding any driver. If Alonso has any complaints, he should complain that he wasn't fast enough against a rookie.

This ^

Hakkinen outqualified Senna on his McLaren debut at the 1993 Portuguese Grand Prix – hence my signature quote below.

For context: Senna approached Mika and asked him how he did it.

[FittingMechanics]

I think the fight was inevitable but for good of the team they could have given a small priority to Alonso, keep him happy, win the title.

Rookie Hamilton wouldn't leave because two time WDC was treated as number 1.

But I guess Hamilton was a McLaren "kid" so was given opportunity to win.

My opinion is that it hurt the team and with how WDC went and Alonso leaving it is hard to argue against.

[the EDGE]

I think the fight was inevitable but for good of the team they could have given a small priority to Alonso, keep him happy, win the title.

Rookie Hamilton wouldn't leave because two time WDC was treated as number 1.

But I guess Hamilton was a McLaren "kid" so was given opportunity to win.

My opinion is that it hurt the team and with how WDC went and Alonso leaving it is hard to argue against.

Spygate was what hurt the team, and that was on Ron & Alonso

Alonso should have Manned-up and faced his on track challenge, on the track

[Darth-Piekus]

Spygate was a painful subject on F1. A chance from Max Mosley to damage Ron Dennis in their own personal vendetta, an innocent team paid the price of two mechanics who wanted to go to Honda together and a last gift of departure from the old Ferrari International Assistance as it was back then called before they retired and replaced. A year that ended with Hamilton getting his rightful title stolen from his hands with underhanded tactics and illegal cars in front of him not getting disqualified. The year ended with Renault having done the same thing to Mclaren and escaping scot free. Alonso after leaving Mclaren in ruins left for Renault and it's ironic that karma paid him 10fold from then along with Ferrari.

[RonMexico]

McLaren cheated and could have been punished even harder. Hamilton would have won the title that year if he turned left rather than going off the track.

[Macklaren]

McLaren cheated and could have been punished even harder. Hamilton would have won the title that year if he turned left rather than going off the track.

LOL Max Mosley is that you from the afterlife? There was zero evidence that McLaren cheated and even Mosley's own inquiry cleared them.
Agreed on HAM losing the title on his own though

[Darth-Piekus]

No he didn't. After Mclaren was disqualified, Lewis Hamilton became the target of the FIA and from various drivers. His DNF in China is controversial as also the sudden engine stalling in Brazil not to mention the two BMW Saubers and the one Williams who were found to have breached the rules. It was decided under the table that no Mclaren driver would be allowed to win the title.

[Badger]

McLaren cheated and could have been punished even harder. Hamilton would have won the title that year if he turned left rather than going off the track.

LOL Max Mosley is that you from the afterlife? There was zero evidence that McLaren cheated and even Mosley's own inquiry cleared them.
Agreed on HAM losing the title on his own though

As I recall they were initially cleared due to a lack of evidence, but then Alonso leaked those internal e-mails and the whole thing unravelled. Alonso's farewell present to Ron.