McLaren acknowledges F1 car handling issues cannot be resolved until 2027
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Oct 13, 2026, 1:11 PM
Last updated Oct 13, 2026
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella stated that significant improvements to the team's Formula 1 car handling will not be possible until 2027. Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have had difficulty adapting to the car's handling characteristics, which require more intense driving inputs than previous models. Both drivers have reported that the current car presents a constant challenge, making it hard to achieve optimal lap times. The team is focused on long-term solutions that involve major technical changes with a new model planned for 2027.
- •Andrea Stella admits McLaren's car handling requires fundamental changes.
- •Norris and Piastri report the car is challenging to drive effectively.
- •Improvements are not expected until the introduction of an all-new car in 2027.
- •Drivers have had to adapt their techniques to cope with current car limitations.
- •Stella notes the increased intensity of driving required this season.
- 1:11 PMMotorsport.com — Why McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
- 1:11 PMYahoo Sports — Why McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
- 1:11 PMAutosport — Why McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
"McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has conceded it cannot improve its Formula 1 car handling characteristics ‘without fundamental changes’ that will not be possible until 2027. While every F1 driver has needed to adapt to the new generation of cars and engines in order to extract the maximum performance, often applying unnatural or unusual techniques never used in their entire ...Keep reading
"McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has conceded it cannot improve its Formula 1 car handling characteristics ‘without fundamental changes’ that will not be possible until 2027. While every F1 driver has needed to adapt to the new generation of cars and engines in order to extract the maximum performance, often applying unnatural or unusual techniques never used in their entire ...Keep reading
"Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have felt McLaren’s current F1 car is a handful, but the team won’t be able to solve the problem until moving on to its next car
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comOct 13, 2026, 1:11 PMWhy McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has conceded it cannot improve its Formula 1 car handling characteristics ‘without fundamental changes’ that will not be possible until 2027. While every F1 driver has needed to adapt to the new generation of cars and engines in order to extract the maximum performance, often applying unnatural or unusual techniques never used in their entire ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsOct 13, 2026, 1:11 PMWhy McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have felt McLaren’s current F1 car is a handful, but the team won’t be able to solve the problem until moving on to its next car
- AutosportOct 13, 2026, 1:11 PMWhy McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has conceded it cannot improve its Formula 1 car handling characteristics ‘without fundamental changes’ that will not be possible until 2027. While every F1 driver has needed to adapt to the new generation of cars and engines in order to extract the maximum performance, often applying unnatural or unusual techniques never used in their entire ...Keep reading
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