What's derailing McLaren's season and the plan to rescue it

McLaren is facing significant challenges in the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Lando Norris expressing concerns about the team's performance, stating they are currently a "long way off" the competitive pace. The team has seen a drastic decline, finishing fourth and fifth in the recent Singapore Grand Prix, and accumulating only 33 points over the last three races, which has put them at risk of being overtaken by Red Bull in the constructors' standings.

The team's struggles stem from a combination of car characteristics and operational errors. McLaren's car is particularly weak in low-speed corners and suffers from high drag, which has hindered its performance. Both Norris and Oscar Piastri have made critical mistakes during races, and team principal Andrea Stella has acknowledged the need for more fundamental changes to the car rather than just adding downforce. McLaren is hopeful that upcoming aero upgrades for the US Grand Prix will help address some of these issues.