Next year is going to be like 2025, i'm sure of it.
The pace the team has been to unlock from this chassis is unreal considering its weaknesses.
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So Gasly did prove my point. I rest my case, your honourvenkyhere wrote: ↑05 Sep 2026, 20:52"gasly" will be the test animal that will either prove my point, or have egg on my facemwillems wrote: ↑05 Sep 2026, 20:49I think the speed difference here is such that having a slightly bigger wing is not going to gain more time on the corners than you'll lose on the straights if your car is a fair bit slower in straight line compared to your competition. The straight to corner balance is massive. And with many of them being fast corners, there's not much time to be found anyway. At Turns 1 and 2 and then the chicane, it's more mechanical than it is aero. But it is opinion and we'll agree to disagree.
How?venkyhere wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 18:33So Gasly did prove my point. I rest my case, your honourvenkyhere wrote: ↑05 Sep 2026, 20:52"gasly" will be the test animal that will either prove my point, or have egg on my facemwillems wrote: ↑05 Sep 2026, 20:49I think the speed difference here is such that having a slightly bigger wing is not going to gain more time on the corners than you'll lose on the straights if your car is a fair bit slower in straight line compared to your competition. The straight to corner balance is massive. And with many of them being fast corners, there's not much time to be found anyway. At Turns 1 and 2 and then the chicane, it's more mechanical than it is aero. But it is opinion and we'll agree to disagree.
I expect Norris to win there with margins like Hungary.Darth-Piekus wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 18:24Next GP is in Madrid and it should be perfect for the characteristics of Mclaren.
the Alpine was too 'underwinged'. Vastly superior top speed, but couldn't 'keep up' with the other top cars, because of inferior downforce in the Lesmos, Ascari and Parabolica. That's what would've happened to McLaren hadn't their floor been as good as what it is. Can you imagine running with that rear wing and still fighting Verstappen with mega old tyres compared to what the Redbull had ? 4th and 5th in a gear-ratio compromized track like Monza is a 'win' in my books.
Quote of the week (season)venkyhere wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 18:46Anyone saying "Piastri put Norris on the grass" haven't been watching racing. It's pure confirmation bias. Piastri had probably a little to do with Norris driving into a disappearing wedge in Canada, but here ? Absolutely not. Norris was desperate. And finally did pass Piastri on pure merit towards the end. There is nothing up for 'discussion' or 'Norris love' or 'Piastri hate'. This is how two competitive drivers are meant to race. The overtaker has to take the risk, Norris did it really well, even if it meant he went onto the grass in one of his attempts. The only team order they could have given was 'attack Verstappen as a pack, pass him, and then fight each other'. Which McLaren didn't do. And I am not suprised. This is Mclaren - where brilliant engineering meets stupid strategy.
Whether he could have got him or not is irrelevant. The problem is that McLaren took away his chance at an attempt, only for them to finish with Lando ahead anyway …willmesquita wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 19:45I don't think Norris would get Max with that older tires and no top speed. In fact i am happy that Piastri could keep up with Norris today. We'll need him strong to get this 2nd place WCC.
Yup, the annoying thing is that they don't even try. Sure, maybe neither of them actually catch and pass Verstappen, but at least you try. Feels like they just sort of shrug and go "Oh well, nothing we can do". Yes there is, manage your drivers!Emag wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 19:50Whether he could have got him or not is irrelevant. The problem is that McLaren took away his chance at an attempt, only for them to finish with Lando ahead anyway …willmesquita wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 19:45I don't think Norris would get Max with that older tires and no top speed. In fact i am happy that Piastri could keep up with Norris today. We'll need him strong to get this 2nd place WCC.
This reminds me of the race at Imola last year, when Lando had fresher tires after the pit stop under the SC, but was in 3rd behind Oscar, who had tires that were a dozen laps older. Lando asked the team if they’d let him pass Oscar at the restart to try and attack Max, who was leading the race, promising to give the position back to Oscar if he didn't succeed. He was turned down, and even though he eventually passed Oscar anyway, he couldn't do anything for the win anymore. So McLaren has remained and will remain trapped in certain constraints that do nothing but favor the other teams, who know that McLaren's operational freedom is heavily restricted by this policy of 'trying not to upset anyone.' Except maybe their own drivers, but they don't matter anyway.Slahinki wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 20:15Yup, the annoying thing is that they don't even try. Sure, maybe neither of them actually catch and pass Verstappen, but at least you try. Feels like they just sort of shrug and go "Oh well, nothing we can do". Yes there is, manage your drivers!Emag wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 19:50Whether he could have got him or not is irrelevant. The problem is that McLaren took away his chance at an attempt, only for them to finish with Lando ahead anyway …willmesquita wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 19:45I don't think Norris would get Max with that older tires and no top speed. In fact i am happy that Piastri could keep up with Norris today. We'll need him strong to get this 2nd place WCC.