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via Motorsport.comF1 2026 mid-season grades: McLaren starts on back foot but makes rapid progressThe article discusses McLaren's performance in the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, highlighting the team's struggles with new regulations and a challenging start. Despite these setbacks, McLaren has made significant progress, culminating in a B- grade at mid-season. The team faced early difficulties, including multiple race retirements due to technical issues, which left them trailing in the championship standings.
Recent upgrades, particularly a redesigned floor and front wing, have allowed McLaren to regain competitiveness, with Lando Norris achieving his first win of the season in Hungary. Team principal Andrea Stella emphasizes the importance of continuing to develop the car to maintain momentum and compete for victories in the remaining races.
Fri 14 Aug · 15:51 UTC
via Motorsport WeekHow eradicating fear restored McLaren to F1 gloryMcLaren has made significant strides in Formula 1, highlighted by Lando Norris's victory in Budapest, marking the team's first win of the season. Under the leadership of CEO Zak Brown and Team Principal Andrea Stella, McLaren has shifted its workplace culture to eliminate a blame-oriented environment, fostering a more supportive atmosphere for its employees. This cultural transformation has been credited with the team's competitive revival, culminating in a double championship win last season.
Randeep Singh, the Racing Director, noted that the removal of fear has empowered team members to focus on improvement and innovation without the anxiety of making mistakes. This new approach has allowed McLaren to embrace calculated risks, contributing to their return to form in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
Fri 14 Aug · 15:45 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren hail 'maturing' star waiting for F1 promotionMcLaren's reserve driver, Leonardo Fornaroli, has been recognized for his impressive performance and maturity as he awaits a potential promotion to Formula 1. The 21-year-old, who joined McLaren after winning the Formula 2 championship, has participated in various practice sessions and tests, showcasing his skills and diligence in preparation for future opportunities.
Andrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, expressed satisfaction with Fornaroli's development and the positive feedback from the engineering team. While there is optimism about his growth within the team's driver development programme, questions remain about whether he will secure a seat with McLaren or need to explore options with other teams.
Fri 14 Aug · 12:45 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMcLaren aims to win more races in second half of seasonMcLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, has expressed confidence in the team's ability to continue winning as the Formula 1 season progresses. He emphasized that the team's history and achievements create a responsibility to strive for further success.+ 1 moreFri 14 Aug · 09:45 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Stella issues rivals warning over McLaren 'momentum' in title battlesLando Norris's victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix has reignited McLaren's hopes in the 2026 Formula 1 season, bringing him closer to the championship leader Kimi Antonelli. McLaren's performance has improved significantly following a recent upgrade, allowing them to close the gap to Mercedes in the constructors' standings as they head into the summer break with 12 races left in the season.
Andrea Stella, McLaren's boss, has warned rivals about the potential momentum his team can build from this win. He emphasized the importance of continuing development and maintaining competitiveness as they prepare for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, where they aim to capitalize on their recent success.
Fri 14 Aug · 09:44 UTC
via Formula1.comInside the F1 driver’s bubble: The reserve driverThe article focuses on Stoffel Vandoorne's experiences as a reserve driver for Aston Martin, highlighting the unique role he plays within the team. It discusses the extensive support network that exists around Formula 1 drivers, emphasizing the collaborative effort required to achieve peak performance.
Additionally, the piece sheds light on the structure of modern Formula 1 teams, which consist of numerous employees working together. Vandoorne's insights provide a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and dynamics involved in being a reserve driver in the competitive environment of Formula 1.
Fri 14 Aug · 09:33 UTC
via AutosportAllan McNish appointed Audi's first racing directorAllan McNish, Audi's new Formula 1 Racing Director, has shared insights from his early career working with Ayrton Senna. He emphasizes the importance of attention to detail, a lesson he aims to apply in his current role.
+ 1 moreFri 14 Aug · 09:32 UTC
via F1iFornaroli on life at McLaren and learning ‘as much as possible’Leonardo Fornaroli has experienced rapid growth since joining McLaren's driver development programme in December 2025, following his success in Formula 3 and Formula 2. His first eight months have included significant milestones, such as a successful FP1 debut and extensive simulator training, which he believes are crucial for his development as a professional driver.
Fornaroli has expressed gratitude for the support from the McLaren team and acknowledges the differences between Formula 1 and junior categories. He is focused on learning from current race drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and while he is cautious about future prospects, he is optimistic about securing a full-time seat in Formula 1 by 2027.
Fri 14 Aug · 07:43 UTC
via RaceFansFeatured Comment: Racing Bulls in 2026 equals McLaren in 2019? | BriefThe article discusses the performance of Racing Bulls in the 2026 Formula 1 season, highlighting the impressive debut of newcomer Arvid Lindblad alongside experienced driver Liam Lawson. It draws parallels between the current situation at Racing Bulls and McLaren's 2019 season, suggesting that while Lawson is securing points, Lindblad shows significant potential for growth.
The piece also raises questions about the future direction of Racing Bulls, pondering whether they will remain a feeder team for Red Bull or seek to develop their own competitive edge. The dynamics between the drivers and the team's strategy could influence their success in the championship.
Fri 14 Aug · 07:16 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren provide 'very clear' answer to tough question: 'We have a duty'McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, expressed confidence in the team's ability to achieve significant results in the second half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, despite facing challenges early on. Currently sitting third in the constructors' standings, McLaren has 220 points, trailing behind Mercedes and Ferrari. The team, which entered the season as defending champions, has been working to overcome reliability issues and a development deficit that hindered their performance initially.
The recent victory by Lando Norris in Hungary marked a turning point for McLaren, showcasing their potential as they aim to close the gap to their rivals. Stella highlighted the importance of continuous development and effective upgrades to the MCL40, as there are still numerous races left in the season. With 546 points still up for grabs, McLaren remains focused on their duty to compete at the highest level and maintain their championship aspirations.Fri 14 Aug · 07:15 UTC
via PlanetF1Next Formula 1 Race Scheduled After Three-Week BreakThe Formula 1 calendar is currently in a three-week hiatus following the Hungarian Grand Prix. Lando Norris secured a notable victory at the last race, marking a strong performance for McLaren.
+ 1 moreFri 14 Aug · 06:15 UTC
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen to McLaren? Red Bull ‘advantage’ claimed by SteinerThe article discusses the speculation surrounding Max Verstappen's future in Formula 1, particularly regarding a potential move to McLaren. Guenther Steiner, a former Red Bull technical director, suggests that McLaren is the only team that could be considered better than Red Bull for Verstappen, but emphasizes Red Bull's advantage with its own engine. Despite rumors of talks with McLaren, it appears Verstappen is likely to remain with Red Bull for the foreseeable future.
Steiner also analyzes the current team dynamics, stating that Ferrari and Mercedes do not have openings for Verstappen, with Mercedes already having a promising young driver in Kimi Antonelli. The article highlights the competitive landscape of F1 as Verstappen navigates his career options amidst ongoing discussions about his future.Fri 14 Aug · 06:01 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri reflects on challenging 2026 seasonMcLaren driver Oscar Piastri has described his first eleven races of the 2026 Formula 1 season as frustrating. He acknowledged that the campaign has featured more difficulties than successes, coinciding with a downturn for the McLaren team.+ 1 moreThu 13 Aug · 18:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comMika Hakkinen reveals why McLaren rivalry with David Coulthard never boiled overMika Hakkinen discussed his time as a teammate with David Coulthard at McLaren, highlighting how their shared vision for the team's success helped them navigate on-track conflicts. He reflected on their infamous collision during the 1999 Austrian Grand Prix, where both drivers managed to recover and continue racing without significant damage to their cars.
Hakkinen emphasized the importance of resolving issues quickly to maintain a positive working relationship, a sentiment echoed by Coulthard. They compared their experience to the current McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, suggesting that understanding and teamwork are crucial for success in Formula 1.Thu 13 Aug · 09:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comCadillac replaces Graeme Lowdon with Marcin BudkowskiCadillac has announced the appointment of Marcin Budkowski as its new team principal, replacing Graeme Lowdon. The decision, described as a planned leadership transition, was made during the team's debut season in Formula 1.+ 5 moreWed 12 Aug · 14:24 UTC
via Formula1.comCadillac appoints Marcin Budkowski as team principalCadillac has announced the appointment of Marcin Budkowski as its new team principal, replacing Graeme Lowdon. This leadership change comes as the team prepares for its debut in Formula 1.+ 7 more
via RacingNews365Red Bull raise critical McLaren question mark after 'big jump'McLaren's recent upgrades were highlighted after their impressive performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Lando Norris secured victory and Max Verstappen finished second. This marked a significant moment as both teams achieved the top two positions for the first time in the 2026 season, showcasing their progress after challenging starts to the year.
Laurent Mekies of Red Bull praised McLaren's advancements but raised questions about whether the improvements would be effective on different circuit types. The upgrades focused on enhancing performance in high-downforce conditions, which were successfully tested at the Hungaroring, a track where McLaren has historically performed well.Wed 12 Aug · 13:40 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMcLaren reveals how it transformed its ‘challenging’ F1 seasonMcLaren has shared insights into how it overcame a difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, culminating in a victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Initially struggling with performance, the team identified multiple areas for improvement, particularly in their car's design and power unit, which were addressed during an enforced break in April. Lando Norris's win marked a significant turnaround for the team, showcasing their ability to adapt and enhance competitiveness.
Team Principal Andrea Stella emphasized the importance of understanding the new power unit and the adjustments made to the MCL40. The introduction of a new aerodynamic package at the Hungarian race was a key factor in their success, and the team is now focused on maintaining this momentum in upcoming races. McLaren's goal is to demonstrate that their recent performance is sustainable and not just a fleeting success.Wed 12 Aug · 13:29 UTC
via RacingNews365Andrea Stella discusses McLaren's progress this seasonMcLaren's team principal Andrea Stella discussed the team's journey this season, noting the challenges in finding a balance between last year's performance and current expectations. He highlighted the significant progress made, while also acknowledging the complexities faced by the team.+ 1 moreWed 12 Aug · 05:25 UTC
via PlanetF1Red Bull appoints new race engineer for 2024 seasonRed Bull Racing has announced the appointment of a new engineer to succeed GianPiero Lambiase. This change comes as the team prepares for upcoming challenges, including a move involving Liam Lawson.Tue 11 Aug · 11:58 UTCPage 19 of 23