McLaren

czechfog183667d ago

Late in developing the car is definitely an issue. But Oscar Piastri cannot match Lando Norris this season. He still struggles with low grip conditions, which is more common with the new cars. There is just not as much downforce as in the previous GE cars.

tyler.rowlinson85d ago

McLaren are definitely paying the price for focusing on 2026 too late. They’ll come good eventually, but blaming Mercedes for their power unit troubles won’t help them

aaditya.krishnamurthy85d ago

I think F1 teams need to strike a balance with developing their car for the new season while not totally neglecting their ongoing year. McLaren didn't do that, and it cost them. Yes the Mercedes engine matter hasn't helped, but Alpine have outperformed expectations with the same engine, so they don't have much of an excuse.

czechfog183667d ago

I am biased here. I would prefer that McLaren keep Oscar Piastri. I have no idea what the CEO, Zak Brown, will do.

john.etherington74d ago

I'd Boot Lando. He almost lost them the title because Zak would never have let Oscar beat him. Max and Oscar are both better drivers but Zaks loverboy Lando will not let Max win so Max won't be going to McLaren

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wilsonjimwilson86d ago

With the immense demands Verstappen is making, plus the toxic baggage that comes with him in the form of his management and father, I don't think any team should sign him. Red Bull should recognise that he's hurting their brand image a lot now, and find a way to cut ties as amicably as possible.

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czechfog183667d ago

Red Bull is a great choice, but also Mercedes if they let George Russell go.

duggsduggan289d ago

Oscar is a good racer I don't know which team would get him but they would be getting a potential world champion well that is my view for what it is worth but good luck to Oscar I think that he will do someday,

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pkc6689d ago

Red Bull the only competitive choice

czechfog183667d ago

Very high, as both have a WDC in their CV. A better lineup than what they had in 2007 with Alonso and Hamilton, who was a rookie that season. But nothing compared to Senna and Prost.

shaymlessevents89d ago

Ive seen better journalism in a kindergarten. Get a grip. Youre just fanning a flame that doesnt exist.

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david.comerford99d ago

Arguably as good as Hamilton and Leclerc

ahambly23122d ago

Results wise, it has to be that late 80s/early 90s era, but personally, the late 00s/early 10s is a standout for me.

elizablackstock122d ago

I am a consummate history nerd with a deeply generous definition of "best", so I'm going with McLaren's M7 era! It was such a different time; an aspiring driver-turned-team-owner could gather a handful of keen minds and put together a car that could somehow win a Grand Prix. That's absolutely incredible to me!

kyle.archer122d ago

It is surely impossible to argue that the 1980s was McLaren's best-ever era, with five drivers' titles and four constructors' titles.

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czechfog183667d ago

That is a subject for discussion with their owners! Huge expense!

aaditya.krishnamurthy130d ago

Honestly, if McLaren are going to do it, they need to start working on it now. If the target isn't 2030, then they can afford to decide later, but we've seen how much Mercedes are benefitting from their PU, which they started working on right at 2022.

marcus.chan130d ago

With all their experience in the field, they should be more than capable of producing their own engine. But with the Mercedes PU being the best, why move away from that?

aaditya.krishnamurthy132d ago

I think McLaren often have this paranoia of getting the deicision or strategy wrong, which ironically, ends up resulting in them getting their strategy wrong by overthinking things

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fogclimber1998132d ago

Where on earth were they looking? That track was not suited for intermediate tires. Who decided to go with them???

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jonny132d ago

Someone in that team doesn’t have a clue

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mattshark1145d ago

No idea, not everyone gets to be champ even if you're a top talent

johnmcmillan58115d ago

true champ keep punching op

jonny132d ago

I think he does, but not with McLaren

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seanfisher137d ago

The narrative quickly changed from Oscar being the ‘ice man’ of the grid to a youngster who felt the pressure. That turning point was Baku

aaditya.krishnamurthy144d ago

I wouldn't say so, holding a few isolated incidents from last year against Piastri as a driver is quite unfair. It wasn't him tightening up late last year, it was more so his talent not being able to compensate for his lack of experience in championship situations.

david.comerford145d ago

Possibly a tiny bit harsh from JB given it was only Oscar's third season

david.comerford161d ago

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss his value. Three seasons still isn't a lot compared to the drivers he's up against

aaditya.krishnamurthy161d ago

Probably not, and if he’s at odds with the driver over McLaren, Webber could be a distraction for Piastri.

tyler.rowlinson161d ago

Maybe not so much on the management side of things, but Piastri would be foolish to cut ties with Webber altogether. The experience and knowledge he has is incredibly helpful for him

fogclimber1998163d ago

From my viewpoint, Rob Marshall was a 10. Will Courtenay an 8.5, and Lambiase should be an 8. Zak Brown may be an odd duck, but he hires good people.

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ahambly23164d ago

Marshall was an integral part of McLaren's success last year, I'd give him a strong nine out of ten. It remains to be seen how effective Courtenay and Lambiase are, but I'd give the latter a ten purely for it being such a bombshell!

kyle.archer165d ago

Rob Marshall has been a solid 8/10 for McLaren, but it is too soon to judge Will Courtenay's impact and what Gianpiero Lambiase might bring when he eventually joins.

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tyler.rowlinson168d ago

As the factory team, it’s seems only right that Mercedes look to gain any advantage they can. They don’t want to be losing to a customer team on the regular

david.comerford169d ago

Mercedes are just trying to exploit any advantage they can, as McLaren would in the same situation

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eileenallan88169d ago

Oscar

fogclimber1998169d ago

Within two more seasons, I believe that Oscar Piastri will consistently beat Lando Norris. But who leaves depends on what offers they get. There is no reason for either of them to leave and go to a weaker team. If Max leaves F1, would Red Bull make an offer to Lando?

davepest8174d ago

NORRIS

fogclimber1998169d ago

I do not believe he will leave McLaren. Just rumors.

george.patten179d ago

Would be tough to take - But think Zak Brown has proven he knows how to appoint the right people, so wouldn’t be too concerned

aaditya.krishnamurthy179d ago

This is a massive blow for McLaren. Even if they're going to replace him with GP (which is the plan), I can't see how Stella leaving after his track record won't hurt them in some way.

wilsonjimwilson176d ago

Bruce, Senna, Prost, Hakkinen. You have to have Bruce on it just like you have to have George Washington on the normal Mt Rushmore.

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akshgupta0346178d ago

Ayrton Senna , Alain Prost , Mika Hakkinen , Lewis Hamilton

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czechfog1836191d ago

Many will think that, but two races is not enough to draw conclusions.

tyler.rowlinson202d ago

It looked like his title defence was never really on with how Mercedes were looking in pre-season. Now McLaren are so far behind them, it's hard to see him retaining the championship.

david.comerford202d ago

Not quite, but almost. The April break might help them - more time to develop the car, less time for Mercedes to build the gap?