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via newsonf1.comMcLaren to test new H-wing at Baku for 2026 plansMcLaren will introduce a new version of its H-wing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as part of its ongoing development for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The performance of this upgrade will influence the team's decision on whether to continue its 2026 development alongside the 2027 car.
via f1oversteer.comFormer McLaren man admits ‘no-one in the team’ thought Lewis Hamilton was ‘that special’ at firstIn 2007, Lewis Hamilton made his Formula 1 debut with McLaren, showcasing remarkable talent that led him to finish just one point behind champion Kimi Raikkonen. Despite his impressive performance, including four race wins and 12 podiums, former McLaren reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa revealed that initially, no one in the team believed Hamilton was as exceptional as he turned out to be. De la Rosa claimed he was the first to recognize Hamilton's potential, while others underestimated him, particularly in comparison to teammate Fernando Alonso.
The article highlights the challenges Hamilton faced during his rookie season, including a significant mistake in the rain during the Chinese Grand Prix and a mechanical failure in Brazil, which ultimately cost him the championship. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton's performance earned him recognition and respect, solidifying his status as a generational talent in the sport. The insights from de la Rosa and Briatore emphasize the initial skepticism within McLaren regarding Hamilton's abilities, which would later be proven wrong as he became one of the most successful drivers in F1 history.
Sun 20 Sep · 13:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton shares insight into dramatic McLaren contract disasterLewis Hamilton shared his experiences from a difficult time in his early career when he lost a contract with McLaren. Initially signed to their junior program, Hamilton expressed his eagerness to move into Formula 1 but faced setbacks when McLaren ended their association with him in 2005. Despite this, he managed to regain his footing by winning races in Formula 3, which led to him securing his contract back with the team.
In 2006, Hamilton had a successful season in GP2, winning the championship, which paved the way for his debut with McLaren in 2007 alongside Fernando Alonso. Hamilton's career took off rapidly, culminating in winning the F1 championship in 2008, just his second season in the sport. He continued to race for McLaren until he transitioned to Mercedes in 2013.
Sun 20 Sep · 11:50 UTC
via Formula1.comRemembering one of F1’s most intriguing ‘what if?’ momentsIn the late 1980s and early 1990s, McLaren achieved remarkable success in Formula 1, clinching four consecutive Teams' Championships and Drivers' Championships with Honda as their engine partner. This period is often regarded as one of the most successful in the team's history, showcasing their dominance on the track.
However, this era of stability was followed by significant changes and challenges. By the end of 1992, Honda decided to withdraw from Formula 1, citing financial pressures. This marked the beginning of a less successful phase for McLaren, as they struggled to maintain their previous level of performance.
Sun 20 Sep · 09:05 UTC
via Motorsport.comDavid Coulthard urges FIA to speed up safety car decisionsDavid Coulthard has expressed concerns regarding the FIA's speed in making decisions to neutralize Formula 1 races, particularly after the recent Spanish Grand Prix. He noted that Lando Norris lost a likely victory due to the timing of the virtual safety car deployment, which allowed Kimi Antonelli to pit at a strategic moment. Coulthard emphasized that the time taken to respond to incidents can significantly impact race outcomes and suggested that improvements are necessary.
During a podcast discussion, Coulthard elaborated on the inherent unpredictability of safety car situations, stating that they can unfairly affect race results. He called for a more efficient process in decision-making, especially in clear-cut situations like major accidents. The former driver believes that quicker responses could help mitigate the luck factor in racing outcomes, ensuring a fairer competition for all drivers.
Sun 20 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren engineers think they have fix for one key ‘weakness’ of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s carMcLaren is preparing to introduce significant upgrades for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, focusing on enhancing the performance of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's MCL40 car. These upgrades include a new underbody and a modified version of their Macarena rear wing, aimed at improving the car's aerodynamics, particularly in slow-speed corners where the team has identified weaknesses. The decision on which rear wing to use will be made after practice sessions in Baku.
The upgrades come after a challenging 2025 Azerbaijan GP for both drivers, where Piastri faced multiple issues, including a crash and a poor start. Despite these setbacks, McLaren's engineers are optimistic that the new aerodynamic package will allow Norris and Piastri to compete for pole position. Recent performances have shown that the MCL40 is competitive in medium-speed turns, and the team is looking to build on this momentum as they head into the race weekend.Sat 19 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via Formula1.comHow Justin Rose and McLaren are pursuing marginal gains in golfJustin Rose has embraced his role as the first global ambassador for McLaren Golf, a partnership that aims to bring the precision and performance ethos of Formula 1 to the sport of golf. At the BMW PGA Championship, he reflected on his experiences testing prototype irons developed in collaboration with McLaren's engineering team, highlighting the potential for innovation in golf equipment. Rose's goal is to convert his near-misses in major tournaments into victories by leveraging the meticulous approach of F1.
The launch of McLaren Golf has garnered attention in both the golf and F1 communities, with Rose actively participating in events and showcasing the new clubs. The partnership is not only about the current products but also about future developments, including drivers and woods that will incorporate advanced engineering techniques. Rose's connection to McLaren has been well received by fans, and he expresses a deep respect for the skills of F1 drivers, emphasizing the unique challenges and precision required in both sports.Sat 19 Sep · 09:43 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris secures pole position at Spanish Grand PrixLando Norris achieved pole position during the qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix, impressively clinching the top spot in the final moments of Q3. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella commended Norris for his performance amid a challenging weekend.+ 1 moreSat 19 Sep · 06:10 UTC
via Formula1.comHow 46 fashion designers reimagined McLaren’s F1 historyOn September 18, 2026, McLaren hosted its inaugural fashion show at the McLaren Technology Centre, showcasing a collection designed by 46 MA fashion students from Central Saint Martins. The event, titled 'Designed to Race: Front Row', featured 12 unique looks inspired by McLaren's rich history in Formula 1, drawing references from iconic figures like James Hunt and Ayrton Senna. The collection was structured into five thematic chapters, each exploring different aspects of McLaren's legacy and the evolution of racing culture.
The students worked collaboratively over nine months, interpreting McLaren's history through fashion while incorporating elements of engineering and performance. The show emphasized sustainability through upcycling, utilizing second-hand materials and old racing equipment. By blending fashion with motorsport, McLaren aimed to highlight the similarities between the two fields, showcasing creativity and innovation at their core.Fri 18 Sep · 16:26 UTC
via f1technical.netWhy did Norris head to Portimao from Madrid?Lando Norris swapped his McLaren Formula 1 car for the team’s new MCL-HY Hypercar as he completed his first full test of the car at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão.
Wed 16 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMcLaren tease Lando Norris Le Mans bid as F1 champion tests insane new hypercarLando Norris recently tested McLaren's new hypercar as part of the team's preparations for the World Endurance Championship in 2027. Following a disappointing finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, Norris participated in a private test at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, where he completed 38 laps and provided valuable feedback to the team.
McLaren has announced its intention to return to the Hypercar category, targeting the prestigious triple crown of motorsport. Norris has shown interest in racing at Le Mans, and with the 2027 F1 calendar not conflicting with the Le Mans schedule, there is potential for him to participate in future events.
Wed 16 Sep · 14:27 UTC
via f1oversteer.comNico Rosberg warns Kimi Antonelli of title pressureNico Rosberg has cautioned Kimi Antonelli that he could feel increasing pressure in his pursuit of the 2026 Formula 1 championship. Rosberg noted that upgrades from McLaren and Ferrari might challenge Antonelli's current dominance, which includes eight victories this season.+ 1 moreWed 16 Sep · 11:00 UTC
via grandprix.comMcLaren aims to help Piastri regain competitive edgeAndrea Stella stated that McLaren has a clear agenda to help Oscar Piastri unlock his potential as he adjusts to the 2026 car. Stella noted that improving Piastri's qualifying and execution is essential for him to close the performance gap to his teammate Lando Norris.
via the-race.comAndrea Stella calls for review of VSC rulesMcLaren team boss Andrea Stella has suggested that Formula 1 should consider revising the Virtual Safety Car procedures. His comments follow Lando Norris's unfortunate timing during the Spanish Grand Prix, which raised questions about the fairness of the current rules.
+ 1 moreWed 16 Sep · 07:38 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 star issues Zak Brown apology after getting it badly wrong about Oscar PiastriRomain Grosjean has publicly apologized to Zak Brown after mistakenly misquoting the McLaren CEO regarding Oscar Piastri's performance. Grosjean's initial comments suggested that Brown had criticized Piastri as being slower than his teammate Lando Norris, which caused a stir online. However, Brown's actual remarks indicated that Piastri was competitive but did not achieve the same lap time as Norris during qualifying.
Oscar Piastri, who is currently experiencing a challenging season, sits seventh in the Drivers' standings, significantly trailing Norris. Following a disappointing eighth-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, Grosjean quickly retracted his comments and expressed regret for the misunderstanding, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment for drivers within the McLaren team.Tue 15 Sep · 20:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri’s McLaren engineer admits he had an ‘impossible’ problem at the Spanish Grand PrixOscar Piastri had a challenging race at the Spanish Grand Prix, starting with a collision with George Russell that damaged his front-left endplate. Despite qualifying in seventh place, the damage hindered his performance, and McLaren was unable to make necessary repairs during the race. Piastri struggled with overtaking opportunities due to the track's design, ultimately finishing in eighth place while teammate Lando Norris managed to secure third despite facing his own difficulties with pit timing.
Piastri's race engineer, Tom Stallard, noted the difficulties of overtaking and the impact of the damage on Piastri's performance. After the race, Piastri expressed his frustration but also highlighted the importance of learning from the experience. Moving forward, McLaren plans to focus on providing more support to Piastri as he continues to adapt and improve in the upcoming races.Tue 15 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via F1iPiastri salvages silver ling despite Madrid miseryOscar Piastri faced a difficult race at the Spanish Grand Prix, finishing in eighth place after sustaining front wing damage on the first lap due to contact with George Russell. Starting on hard compound tyres, Piastri found himself stuck in traffic, which hindered his ability to make progress on the tight circuit. The deployment of the Virtual Safety Car further complicated his strategy, as it allowed other drivers to pit for fresh tyres at a crucial moment.
Despite the challenges, Piastri managed to salvage some points and noted that there were positive aspects to take away from the race, particularly during moments when he had clear track ahead. He expressed hope that the data collected would help McLaren improve their setup and strategy for upcoming races, emphasizing the need for a thorough review to address the issues faced during the event.
Tue 15 Sep · 16:27 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris lost Madring F1 win because of impossible overtaking – McLarenLando Norris faced challenges in securing a victory at the Spanish Grand Prix due to difficulties in overtaking at the Madring circuit. Despite starting from pole and initially leading the race, Norris lost crucial time during a pit stop caused by a virtual safety car, which left him unable to close the gap to the leaders. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella highlighted that the slow pit stop did not significantly impact the race outcome, as overtaking proved to be nearly impossible on the track.
The Madring circuit recorded only 10 overtakes during the race, the lowest number for the 2026 season, raising concerns about its design. Stella pointed out that the narrowness of Turn 5 made it particularly difficult for drivers to attempt overtakes, suggesting that modifications may be necessary to enhance racing opportunities in future events. Norris's pace advantage was evident, but without the ability to overtake, he could not regain his lead.Tue 15 Sep · 14:37 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren announce new 'high performance' multi-year partnershipMcLaren Racing has confirmed a new multi-year partnership with SharkNinja, a product design and technology company. This collaboration will span across all four of McLaren's racing operations, including the Formula 1 Team, IndyCar Team, Hypercar Team, and F1 Academy. The partnership is rooted in a shared commitment to innovation, speed, and precision, which are essential in both racing and consumer product design.
As part of the agreement, SharkNinja will be involved in various projects aimed at fan engagement and content creation, particularly during selected F1 race weekends. Additionally, they will join the McLaren Racing Accelerator Programme to leverage the team's engineering expertise for future product development. McLaren CEO Zak Brown expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the mutual dedication to pushing technological boundaries and enhancing customer experiences.Tue 15 Sep · 12:24 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli's Spanish GP win will still "sting", says James HinchcliffeKimi Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Spanish Grand Prix, held on September 15, 2026. His win at the Madring circuit allowed him to extend his championship lead to 81 points over teammate George Russell. The race was notably affected by a virtual safety car that Antonelli capitalized on, allowing him to take a cheaper pit stop compared to Lando Norris, who had started from pole position and initially led the race.
Despite his victory, former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe remarked that Antonelli would feel a 'sting' knowing that Norris had the faster car throughout the race. Hinchcliffe highlighted that even successful drivers can feel frustrated when they are not the quickest on the track, suggesting that Antonelli's win was a mix of good fortune and his driving skills. This commentary reflects the competitive nature of Formula 1, where drivers strive not only for victory but also for the title of being the best on the day.Tue 15 Sep · 08:00 UTCPage 6 of 23