2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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FittingMechanics
FittingMechanics
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Joined: 19 Feb 2019, 12:10

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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Could it be that Zak is hyping up the upgrades for the car because he is negotiating with Max?

Max seems super unhappy and lashing out recently.

I don't think Max would be a great fit but I can understand why Zak would want him.

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mwillems
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Joined: 04 Sep 2016, 22:11

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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FittingMechanics wrote:
05 Jul 2026, 20:25
Could it be that Zak is hyping up the upgrades for the car because he is negotiating with Max?

Max seems super unhappy and lashing out recently.

I don't think Max would be a great fit but I can understand why Zak would want him.
I doubt it, because if they didn't deliver he'd look like a right tit.
I'm not taking advice from a cartoon dog

-Bandit

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mwillems
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Joined: 04 Sep 2016, 22:11

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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If Zak is saying it, it's because it's real.

Hopefully he still doesn't look like a tit.
I'm not taking advice from a cartoon dog

-Bandit

FittingMechanics
FittingMechanics
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Joined: 19 Feb 2019, 12:10

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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mwillems wrote:
05 Jul 2026, 20:30
FittingMechanics wrote:
05 Jul 2026, 20:25
Could it be that Zak is hyping up the upgrades for the car because he is negotiating with Max?

Max seems super unhappy and lashing out recently.

I don't think Max would be a great fit but I can understand why Zak would want him.
I doubt it, because if they didn't deliver he'd look like a right tit.
Yeah, I guess it makes no sense to do it publicly, he could share everything privately.

Honestly with the way season was going, DNS and reliability issues our guys are doing really well, they are not that far behind and if the car is upgraded the point swings could be really big. Super exciting. I'd be happy with the season if we see a good upward trajectory with a couple of wins.

jacme22
jacme22
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Joined: 14 Feb 2026, 14:59

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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In all fairness, P3 and P4 for Lando, and P7 -not counting today- for Oscar yesterday. Even with all the issues, the team did overperform this weekend despite the issues. If Oscar hadn't had the damage today we could have scored quite a lot of points, which are needed to get closer to Ferrari before the summer break.

Edit: Stella confirmed again that upgrades are coming in Hungary.

geogate
geogate
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Joined: 29 Nov 2014, 02:25

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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I admire peoples positivity. Not feeling it myself. Just not seeing any real push that there should be from world champions, to refuse to accept where they are

jacme22
jacme22
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Joined: 14 Feb 2026, 14:59

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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OT: another win for Mclaren (1-2) in the Indycar. Nice to see the team become more and more competitive.

https://x.com/ArrowMcLaren/status/20738 ... 41306?s=20

Macklaren
Macklaren
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Joined: 23 Feb 2014, 16:26

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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jacme22 wrote:
05 Jul 2026, 21:56

Edit: Stella confirmed again that upgrades are coming in Hungary.
Zak said it will be in 2 parts in Spa and Hungary

Macklaren
Macklaren
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Joined: 23 Feb 2014, 16:26

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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SilviuAgo wrote:
05 Jul 2026, 20:18

Imo stewards today were complete a bunch of id10ts
On the contrary, the stewards today corrected the record on the 2 worst officiating decisions this century

Zaamy
Zaamy
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Joined: 19 Jul 2023, 14:00

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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Not sure if this has been mentioned previously,I was at the race so might have missed it


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De Wet
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Joined: 03 Jan 2024, 13:32

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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jacme22 wrote:
05 Jul 2026, 22:31
OT: another win for Mclaren (1-2) in the Indycar. Nice to see the team become more and more competitive.

https://x.com/ArrowMcLaren/status/20738 ... 41306?s=20

Our season so far has been mediocre. :( Nice to see this win. :D
Last edited by De Wet on 06 Jul 2026, 14:47, edited 1 time in total.

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mwillems
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Joined: 04 Sep 2016, 22:11

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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De Wet wrote:
06 Jul 2026, 13:51
jacme22 wrote:
05 Jul 2026, 22:31
OT: another win for Mclaren (1-2) in the Indycar. Nice to see the team become more and more competitive.

https://x.com/ArrowMcLaren/status/20738 ... 41306?s=20

Our season so far has been mediocre. :(
It's probably not a coincidence that the teams fighting for the WDC last year are now 3rd and 4th, while the teams that were able to step back sooner and focus on this year are currently 1st and 2nd.

I was tentatively expecting us to struggle a bit this year. I have the same attitude I had going into years before the 1st recent WCC win. If we’re not genuinely in the fight, then don’t burn too much energy chasing marginal positions. Accept the lower placing, take the development benefit, and make sure we're in the best possible shape for next year.

We're about to get a reset based on mid season position, and that seems to be coming just as we're launching a major upgrade package that could potentially put us in the fight for wins.

Obviously I hope the car is great. But unless we can somehow mount a real challenge this year, I'd almost prefer us to finish 3rd in the WCC, write this year off strategically, and put everything into going for the crown at the first proper opportunity next year. Losing dev time for 2nd... I don't see the point. Let's be strategic and aim for the top.
I'm not taking advice from a cartoon dog

-Bandit

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De Wet
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Joined: 03 Jan 2024, 13:32

Re: 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

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mwillems wrote:
06 Jul 2026, 14:22
De Wet wrote:
06 Jul 2026, 13:51
jacme22 wrote:
05 Jul 2026, 22:31
OT: another win for Mclaren (1-2) in the Indycar. Nice to see the team become more and more competitive.

https://x.com/ArrowMcLaren/status/20738 ... 41306?s=20

Our season so far has been mediocre. :( Nice to see this win. :D
It's probably not a coincidence that the teams fighting for the WDC last year are now 3rd and 4th, while the teams that were able to step back sooner and focus on this year are currently 1st and 2nd.

I was tentatively expecting us to struggle a bit this year. I have the same attitude I had going into years before the 1st recent WCC win. If we’re not genuinely in the fight, then don’t burn too much energy chasing marginal positions. Accept the lower placing, take the development benefit, and make sure we're in the best possible shape for next year.

We're about to get a reset based on mid season position, and that seems to be coming just as we're launching a major upgrade package that could potentially put us in the fight for wins.

Obviously I hope the car is great. But unless we can somehow mount a real challenge this year, I'd almost prefer us to finish 3rd in the WCC, write this year off strategically, and put everything into going for the crown at the first proper opportunity next year. Losing dev time for 2nd... I don't see the point. Let's be strategic and aim for the top.

jacme22 is referring to Indycar in his post.