2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[mwillems]

And you can win with boring sidepods

We aren't going to let Emag live this down are we?

Ahahahahaha

What's that thing they say about CFD goggles...

On a serious note, every year computational power increases, design tools get more complex and the idea of a concept becomes a lot more micro.

There's probably a lot of different flows on the car with each area having it's own concept.

Lot's of little changes making big differences.

I also suspect they are doing more with the underfloor than the regs originally envisaged.

[FittingMechanics]

Great win by NOR, he was flying today, actually all weekend to that matter. I feel gutted for PIA, even thogh he could have won due to positional driving, he lost the place to NOR and then his gearbox failed....

On the other hand, this is the 3rd consecutive year in 2 different rules set that Mclaren have billed a race winning car. To me this is a great sing how strong the technical department is at the moment.

And they did it this year with least amount of wind tunnel time and as a customer where Mercedes was deliberately withholding information. Great work by the technical team.

[mwillems]

What I was saying, badly, is that every year the details are smaller and greater in number, with ideas of what makes the cars work getting further and further from our sight

[FittingMechanics]

What I was saying, badly, is that every year the details are smaller and greater in number, with ideas of what makes the cars work getting further and further from our sight

Yeah I think that this is very true. You can probably gain a lot of laptime by just iterating on your initial design without any radical changes. This seems to be what McLaren was doing.

One thing that was interesting to me was that Lando said in the press conference that he didn't think the pace was that good in FP1 and was feeling down because of it and that Stella wanted to make a bet on it. I guess Stella really trusted the development team and the package that was brought.

[mwillems]

What I was saying, badly, is that every year the details are smaller and greater in number, with ideas of what makes the cars work getting further and further from our sight

Yeah I think that this is very true. You can probably gain a lot of laptime by just iterating on your initial design without any radical changes. This seems to be what McLaren was doing.

One thing that was interesting to me was that Lando said in the press conference that he didn't think the pace was that good in FP1 and was feeling down because of it and that Stella wanted to make a bet on it. I guess Stella really trusted the development team and the package that was brought.

I spose the other point I make badly, is that people hear "concept" and see an all encompassing design. Whilst the car works in a synergy (Sorry if you hate that word), the reality is far more complex.

As much as there is time in exotic designs. There's likely huge amounts of time simply from getting all the surfaces to work in Harmony.

[Slahinki]

I think Lando was pissed after Spa and he had good reason to be. It's probably why he is being a lot more vocal than you usually hear from him on his pace advantage. And truth be told, he actually had the pace to back his words up this time so it's not even a bad look. The guy had enough to win by 30-40 seconds easily had he not slid off in lap 1 (and don't get me wrong, that's his own fault, I am just making a point on the pace).

As for McLaren, this whole "equal treatment" thing is just flatout stupid when one of the drivers has a lot more pace on the other. It was different last year, because Lando was the weakest version of himself for some reason, but 2025 is turning out to be an outlier based on how 2026 has gone so far. They can't keep doing this. It cost them a lot with Lando at Spa and it might have cost them a win here.

I'm honestly growing tired of Piastri, his entourage and whatever it is he has in his contract that makes McLaren behave so irrationally with him. Today he was straight up slow and should have been told to either prove he can go faster, or get out of the way. And the moment things don't go his way he's on the radio whinging and blaming the team, even though he's just so slow he can't be helped. Bloody heck.

[Macklaren]

I think Lando was pissed after Spa and he had good reason to be. It's probably why he is being a lot more vocal than you usually hear from him on his pace advantage. And truth be told, he actually had the pace to back his words up this time so it's not even a bad look. The guy had enough to win by 30-40 seconds easily had he not slid off in lap 1 (and don't get me wrong, that's his own fault, I am just making a point on the pace).

As for McLaren, this whole "equal treatment" thing is just flatout stupid when one of the drivers has a lot more pace on the other. It was different last year, because Lando was the weakest version of himself for some reason, but 2025 is turning out to be an outlier based on how 2026 has gone so far. They can't keep doing this. It cost them a lot with Lando at Spa and it might have cost them a win here.

I'm honestly growing tired of Piastri, his entourage and whatever it is he has in his contract that makes McLaren behave so irrationally with him. Today he was straight up slow and should have been told to either prove he can go faster, or get out of the way. And the moment things don't go his way he's on the radio whinging and blaming the team, even though he's just so slow he can't be helped. Bloody heck.

I don't mind this. If the 'sheen' comes off him somewhat, he's less likely to be poached by another team like RBR

[MrGapes]

hello guys, long time no see

I remember hearing this radio when I was watching the onboard, he really is a confident cat this year
Lando on the radio: "I'll pull out a 10-second gap with no tyres" Will: "Are we willing to let Hamilton undercut us?" Lando: "Let him."

[De Wet]

And you can win with boring sidepods

We aren't going to let Emag live this down are we?

Nah I'll die on this hill. This car is basic(looking) as hell

I'm predicting very little change to the sidepods.

[E8404424]

I think Lando was pissed after Spa and he had good reason to be. It's probably why he is being a lot more vocal than you usually hear from him on his pace advantage. And truth be told, he actually had the pace to back his words up this time so it's not even a bad look. The guy had enough to win by 30-40 seconds easily had he not slid off in lap 1 (and don't get me wrong, that's his own fault, I am just making a point on the pace).

As for McLaren, this whole "equal treatment" thing is just flatout stupid when one of the drivers has a lot more pace on the other. It was different last year, because Lando was the weakest version of himself for some reason, but 2025 is turning out to be an outlier based on how 2026 has gone so far. They can't keep doing this. It cost them a lot with Lando at Spa and it might have cost them a win here.

I'm honestly growing tired of Piastri, his entourage and whatever it is he has in his contract that makes McLaren behave so irrationally with him. Today he was straight up slow and should have been told to either prove he can go faster, or get out of the way. And the moment things don't go his way he's on the radio whinging and blaming the team, even though he's just so slow he can't be helped. Bloody heck.

I am getting tired of the "poor little Oscar" act as well. Nothing is ever his fault apparently. He focuses on racing Lando at the start above everything else, often to his own detriment. He seem to think that if he gets in the lead it's the team's job to keep him there even if he is slower than Lando. And, despite all the wibble about him being this ice cold character, he seems to lack situational awareness on track and cant control his emotions in the cockpit, often lashing out at the team and/or whining about not getting his way. Counter that with Lando's approach at COTA last year when he refused to criticise Oscar for taking him out when baited by the media. The mask has slipped a few times now with Oscar. At the team photo after the race he turns up with sad face on and Stella comes out, gives him a cuddle and then sits next to him. Bless. It's not easy when the other kids wont let you have the ball. Poor little Oscar. And this attitude is in the media as well, they all seem to rush to make excuses for him. And it's usually that "bad luck" did it. This is the same mythical force that is strangely absent when Lando slips up, like in Turn two yesterday, then it's "making a mistake". Which it was. Oscar pressured him, good effort there, and Lando fell for it.

Oscar is Stella's boy in that team, it's pretty obvious. Stella is the lead guy on that pit wall. Any decisions, such as Spa, are coming from him and he's making sure that Oscar is protected. The only problem is that Lando is blowing him away, and stating it on the radio for all to hear. The comment about putting ten seconds on Oscar on old tyres, and then doing it, speaks volumes. Lando led that team to a win this weekend, the only non Mercedes driver to have a Pole, Sprint Win and Race Win. And his Team Principal cant even bring himself to openly congratulate him, describing him Pole Position as "surprising" and spending most of his time making excuses for another appearance from Oscar Disastri.

[SmallSoldier]

I wonder exactly how track specific this pace is?
The upgrades were a few tenths according to Stella.

Bodes well for the Dutch GP which is another one we tend to do well at i believe.

Few tenths (and good starting position) is enough to turn things around, the gaps are small but get exaggarated if you are behind and in dirty air.

You aren’t wrong, but that’s not the case for this race… At several points in time during the race, the likes of VER, ANT and even the Ferrari’s had “clean air” (more than 4 seconds to the car in front)… none of them where close to the pace Lando was driving at.

Driver confidence creates a great amount of lap time… The upgrades themselves maybe only bring a couple of tenth “on paper”, but if they are giving the driver (in this case Lando) additional confidence not only on where the limit is, but what to expect once the limit is crossed… that creates another few tenths

[venkyhere]

I think Lando was pissed after Spa and he had good reason to be. It's probably why he is being a lot more vocal than you usually hear from him on his pace advantage. And truth be told, he actually had the pace to back his words up this time so it's not even a bad look. The guy had enough to win by 30-40 seconds easily had he not slid off in lap 1 (and don't get me wrong, that's his own fault, I am just making a point on the pace).

As for McLaren, this whole "equal treatment" thing is just flatout stupid when one of the drivers has a lot more pace on the other. It was different last year, because Lando was the weakest version of himself for some reason, but 2025 is turning out to be an outlier based on how 2026 has gone so far. They can't keep doing this. It cost them a lot with Lando at Spa and it might have cost them a win here.

I'm honestly growing tired of Piastri, his entourage and whatever it is he has in his contract that makes McLaren behave so irrationally with him. Today he was straight up slow and should have been told to either prove he can go faster, or get out of the way. And the moment things don't go his way he's on the radio whinging and blaming the team, even though he's just so slow he can't be helped. Bloody heck.

I am getting tired of the "poor little Oscar" act as well. Nothing is ever his fault apparently. He focuses on racing Lando at the start above everything else, often to his own detriment. He seem to think that if he gets in the lead it's the team's job to keep him there even if he is slower than Lando. And, despite all the wibble about him being this ice cold character, he seems to lack situational awareness on track and cant control his emotions in the cockpit, often lashing out at the team and/or whining about not getting his way. Counter that with Lando's approach at COTA last year when he refused to criticise Oscar for taking him out when baited by the media. The mask has slipped a few times now with Oscar. At the team photo after the race he turns up with sad face on and Stella comes out, gives him a cuddle and then sits next to him. Bless. It's not easy when the other kids wont let you have the ball. Poor little Oscar. And this attitude is in the media as well, they all seem to rush to make excuses for him. And it's usually that "bad luck" did it. This is the same mythical force that is strangely absent when Lando slips up, like in Turn two yesterday, then it's "making a mistake". Which it was. Oscar pressured him, good effort there, and Lando fell for it.

Oscar is Stella's boy in that team, it's pretty obvious. Stella is the lead guy on that pit wall. Any decisions, such as Spa, are coming from him and he's making sure that Oscar is protected. The only problem is that Lando is blowing him away, and stating it on the radio for all to hear. The comment about putting ten seconds on Oscar on old tyres, and then doing it, speaks volumes. Lando led that team to a win this weekend, the only non Mercedes driver to have a Pole, Sprint Win and Race Win. And his Team Principal cant even bring himself to openly congratulate him, describing him Pole Position as "surprising" and spending most of his time making excuses for another appearance from Oscar Disastri.

nice rant !

[Ben1980]

Watched the race late.

Oscar could have won it even with his pretty poor performance. Tge car was obviously fast enough, and he shouldn't have been in Hamilton undercut threat at all.

Lando was a quicker pit stop away from taking the lead after the first stops, which shows his pace even afainst new tyres from Oscar. And at time looked like he could have taken the lead on the second stop before the bash with Sainz.

Fingers crossed the package is still strong in Hollandia.

But, Kimi has this title already, so no silly thoughts.

[Emag]

Watched the race late.

Oscar could have won it even with his pretty poor performance. Tge car was obviously fast enough, and he shouldn't have been in Hamilton undercut threat at all.

Lando was a quicker pit stop away from taking the lead after the first stops, which shows his pace even afainst new tyres from Oscar. And at time looked like he could have taken the lead on the second stop before the bash with Sainz.

Fingers crossed the package is still strong in Hollandia.

But, Kimi has this title already, so no silly thoughts.

Oscar might not have even finished on the podium. Lewis and Max were gaining on him. His deg on the hards was horrible. People also seem to have forgotten that 2 drivers got grid penalties for him to start the race 3rd. Just a poor weekend by him which almost cost McLaren a win, mostly because Norris slid off wide in lap 1, but also because they were willing to compromise both drivers to keep the papaya rules alive.

[SilviuAgo]

I think Lando was pissed after Spa and he had good reason to be. It's probably why he is being a lot more vocal than you usually hear from him on his pace advantage. And truth be told, he actually had the pace to back his words up this time so it's not even a bad look. The guy had enough to win by 30-40 seconds easily had he not slid off in lap 1 (and don't get me wrong, that's his own fault, I am just making a point on the pace).

As for McLaren, this whole "equal treatment" thing is just flatout stupid when one of the drivers has a lot more pace on the other. It was different last year, because Lando was the weakest version of himself for some reason, but 2025 is turning out to be an outlier based on how 2026 has gone so far. They can't keep doing this. It cost them a lot with Lando at Spa and it might have cost them a win here.

I'm honestly growing tired of Piastri, his entourage and whatever it is he has in his contract that makes McLaren behave so irrationally with him. Today he was straight up slow and should have been told to either prove he can go faster, or get out of the way. And the moment things don't go his way he's on the radio whinging and blaming the team, even though he's just so slow he can't be helped. Bloody heck.

I am getting tired of the "poor little Oscar" act as well. Nothing is ever his fault apparently. He focuses on racing Lando at the start above everything else, often to his own detriment. He seem to think that if he gets in the lead it's the team's job to keep him there even if he is slower than Lando. And, despite all the wibble about him being this ice cold character, he seems to lack situational awareness on track and cant control his emotions in the cockpit, often lashing out at the team and/or whining about not getting his way. Counter that with Lando's approach at COTA last year when he refused to criticise Oscar for taking him out when baited by the media. The mask has slipped a few times now with Oscar. At the team photo after the race he turns up with sad face on and Stella comes out, gives him a cuddle and then sits next to him. Bless. It's not easy when the other kids wont let you have the ball. Poor little Oscar. And this attitude is in the media as well, they all seem to rush to make excuses for him. And it's usually that "bad luck" did it. This is the same mythical force that is strangely absent when Lando slips up, like in Turn two yesterday, then it's "making a mistake". Which it was. Oscar pressured him, good effort there, and Lando fell for it.

Oscar is Stella's boy in that team, it's pretty obvious. Stella is the lead guy on that pit wall. Any decisions, such as Spa, are coming from him and he's making sure that Oscar is protected. The only problem is that Lando is blowing him away, and stating it on the radio for all to hear. The comment about putting ten seconds on Oscar on old tyres, and then doing it, speaks volumes. Lando led that team to a win this weekend, the only non Mercedes driver to have a Pole, Sprint Win and Race Win. And his Team Principal cant even bring himself to openly congratulate him, describing him Pole Position as "surprising" and spending most of his time making excuses for another appearance from Oscar Disastri.

I really do not understand Oscar. Sometimes he looks like a fair and realistic man. But sometimes he is blinded by pride or desperation to receive/get something.

2026 Hungarian GP | Clean-Air Race Pace (%)
Norris vs Piastri


And this is third stint (Hard tires), median pace, clean air laps only.

I like Oscar, but imo he (and some of his fans) need to realize that he's lucky to be at McLaren where they have this fairness at all costs approach. Do you think Red Bull or even Toto would accept their world champion being held up over half a second a lap and risking to lose a win only to be fair to Oscar?
I realized that he is lost when, being leading McLaren after lap 1, and having priority at the pitstops, he didn't know what to do: to pit or to stay. While Lando was more committed: if Oscar stay I will pit, if he will pit, I will prove a 10 seconds gap with no tires. Sorry Oscar, but this race was won by Lando both on track and on mental approach of how to go racing.