2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

This forum contains threads to discuss teams themselves. Anything not technical about the cars, including restructuring, performances etc belongs here.
User avatar
Ground Effect
14
Joined: 02 Mar 2018, 12:39

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

I personally don't see this connection as real, or organic. McLaren won the constructors in '24 and the double in '25. There wasn't any talk or sign that Max would be keen on joining. But the moment that GP is announced, folks are putting 2+2 and getting 50. GP has been unsettled for a few years, McLaren has tried to sign him before his last extension, he was the subject of interest in quite a few teams. Wherever he had gone, at least to most places, it would be speculated that Max is joining said team. I might be wrong, but I think this is just the usual gossip journalism, nothing of substance.
Q: (Stefano Mancini – La Stampa) Kimi, will you help Vettel to win his championship this year?
Kimi Raikkonen: I can only drive one car, obviously. 
@2018 Singapore Grand Prix drivers press conference.

User avatar
organic
1145
Joined: 08 Jan 2022, 02:24
Location: Cambridge, UK

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Ground Effect wrote:
27 Jun 2026, 11:52
I personally don't see this connection as real, or organic. McLaren won the constructors in '24 and the double in '25. There wasn't any talk or sign that Max would be keen on joining. But the moment that GP is announced, folks are putting 2+2 and getting 50. GP has been unsettled for a few years, McLaren has tried to sign him before his last extension, he was the subject of interest in quite a few teams. Wherever he had gone, at least to most places, it would be speculated that Max is joining said team. I might be wrong, but I think this is just the usual gossip journalism, nothing of substance.
It's Erik van haren lol

basti313
basti313
32
Joined: 22 Feb 2014, 14:49

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

organic wrote:
27 Jun 2026, 12:31
Ground Effect wrote:
27 Jun 2026, 11:52
I personally don't see this connection as real, or organic. McLaren won the constructors in '24 and the double in '25. There wasn't any talk or sign that Max would be keen on joining. But the moment that GP is announced, folks are putting 2+2 and getting 50. GP has been unsettled for a few years, McLaren has tried to sign him before his last extension, he was the subject of interest in quite a few teams. Wherever he had gone, at least to most places, it would be speculated that Max is joining said team. I might be wrong, but I think this is just the usual gossip journalism, nothing of substance.
It's Erik van haren lol
Exactely. His predictions during the 2024 Red Bull turmoil were mostly wrong, not more right than guessing. No reason to see him still any close or more credible than anyone here guessing....
Don`t russel the hamster!

User avatar
Darth-Piekus
-1
Joined: 28 Apr 2018, 15:27
Location: Greece

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

8 minutes till Q1 starts. Good luck to the team, may they give it their all and may theu go as close to pole as possible.

Watto
Watto
5
Joined: 10 Mar 2022, 15:12

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Lando damaged his car going over a kerb.

Team said its repairable, sent Lando out early to test.

User avatar
Darth-Piekus
-1
Joined: 28 Apr 2018, 15:27
Location: Greece

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Seems that it was a success but still Mercedes seems to be the favorite.

Avocado
Avocado
24
Joined: 21 Jan 2013, 14:03

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

I'm fine with P2 and P3.

FittingMechanics
FittingMechanics
23
Joined: 19 Feb 2019, 12:10

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Good pace so far but Antonelli just has two tenths on everyone.

CjC
CjC
20
Joined: 03 Jul 2012, 20:13

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Had a feeling they would be 4th of the top 4
Just a fan's point of view*

*statement was relevant when the forum had a high level of intelligence. Now we are just equals.

User avatar
Darth-Piekus
-1
Joined: 28 Apr 2018, 15:27
Location: Greece

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Is it allowed not to lift on a single yellow?

FittingMechanics
FittingMechanics
23
Joined: 19 Feb 2019, 12:10

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Darth-Piekus wrote:
27 Jun 2026, 17:10
Is it allowed not to lift on a single yellow?
He lifted. This is Verstappen special, just make a small lift and it's legal :).

Btw Russell was up on Antonelli after S2 so it would be really bad luck if that was one track where someone crashes.


About McLaren, looks like our guys can't make a big step into Q3. We probably need to keep this in mind, this is another race where we looked promising in Q1 and Q2 and them drop down in Q3.

But it's a long race tomorrow and you can overtake. Let's go.

User avatar
Darth-Piekus
-1
Joined: 28 Apr 2018, 15:27
Location: Greece

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Our guys did make a step up as their times were better on the second try. However Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are at the moment slightly better as cars. Our drivers have given their best.

Its a pity though that there is special treatment in some cases as there is no way he lifted and able to take pole. If he didnt lift how much more faster could he have been?

jacme22
jacme22
1
Joined: 14 Feb 2026, 14:59

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Darth-Piekus wrote:
27 Jun 2026, 17:13
Our guys did make a step up as their times were better on the second try. However Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are at the moment slightly better as cars. Our drivers have given their best.

Its a pity though that there is special treatment in some cases as there is no way he lifted and able to take pole. If he didnt lift how much more faster could he have been?
RB, Ferrari and us are with 1-2 tenths

User avatar
Darth-Piekus
-1
Joined: 28 Apr 2018, 15:27
Location: Greece

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Yeah but Mclaren at least in qualifying today were the 4th fastest car. The race might be another story though. We need some good upgrades as we are still missing that tenth.

CjC
CjC
20
Joined: 03 Jul 2012, 20:13

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

Post

Is it fair to say McLaren are on their first ‘big upgrade’ package. Ferrari and now Red Bull are on their second?
Just a fan's point of view*

*statement was relevant when the forum had a high level of intelligence. Now we are just equals.