McLaren's title defense hit the wall early—a double DNS in China and Piastri sidelined in Australia handed rivals a points cushion the reigning champions are still clawing back. Norris finally broke through at Round 11 in Hungary, dominant from pole for his first win since Sao Paulo last November, but the road there was littered with mechanical DNFs in Canada and Monaco plus a gearbox failure that torpedoed Piastri's Hungarian result. The teammates are dead even on race day at 5-5, though Norris holds a 7-4 qualifying edge. Team principal Andrea Stella admits the China no-show "could be important at the end of the season" and warns of a "race of development until the end." McLaren showed pace in Miami and rolled out upgrades that clicked in Hungary, but one perfect weekend doesn't erase the deficit. The top four are separated by tenths, and consistency—not speed—is what McLaren needs now.
Read the full story at formula1.comHOW MCLAREN’S 2026 SEASON HAS PLAYED OUT SO FAR
McLaren's title defense hit the wall early—a double DNS in China and Piastri sidelined in Australia handed rivals a points cushion the reigning champions are still clawing back. Norris finally broke through at Round 11 in Hungary, dominant from pole for his first win since Sao Paulo last November, but the road there was littered with mechanical DNFs in Canada and Monaco plus a gearbox failure that torpedoed Piastri's Hungarian result. The teammates are dead even on race day at 5-5, though Norris holds a 7-4 qualifying edge. Team principal Andrea Stella admits the China no-show "could be important at the end of the season" and warns of a "race of development until the end." McLaren showed pace in Miami and rolled out upgrades that clicked in Hungary, but one perfect weekend doesn't erase the deficit. The top four are separated by tenths, and consistency—not speed—is what McLaren needs now.
