McLaren investigates performance gap to Mercedes on straights
Autosport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 1, 2026, 3:00 PM
Last updated Jul 1, 2026
McLaren's Formula 1 team, led by principal Andrea Stella, is looking into why they are losing approximately one-and-a-half tenths of a second to Mercedes in straight-line speed, despite using the same power unit. The team's MCL40 car reportedly has a total lap time gap of three to four tenths compared to the current championship-leading W17. This performance discrepancy has raised concerns about the competitiveness of McLaren in the ongoing season. As a follow-up, the team plans to conduct further investigations to address the issues affecting their straight-line performance.
- •McLaren losing one-and-a-half tenths to Mercedes on straights.
- •MCL40's lap time gap is estimated at three to four tenths.
- •Investigation into performance issues is underway.
- 3:00 PMAutosport — McLaren still to investigate why it's losing to Mercedes on the straights, despite same PU
- 3:00 PMMotorsport.com — McLaren searching for answers behind losses to Mercedes on straights, despite same F1 power unit
"McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella says that the team will investigate why it is losing around "one-and-a-half tenths" to Mercedes in the straights, despite running with a common power unit. Explaining where the MCL40 is currently stacked against the current championship-leading W17, Stella estimates that the gap between the two cars is around three-to-four tenths per lap, with ...Keep reading
"McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella says that the team will investigate why it is losing around "one-and-a-half tenths" to Mercedes in the straights, despite running with a common power unit. Explaining where the MCL40 is currently stacked against the current championship-leading W17, Stella estimates that the gap between the two cars is around three-to-four tenths per lap, with ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- AutosportJul 1, 2026, 3:00 PMMcLaren still to investigate why it's losing to Mercedes on the straights, despite same PU
McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella says that the team will investigate why it is losing around "one-and-a-half tenths" to Mercedes in the straights, despite running with a common power unit. Explaining where the MCL40 is currently stacked against the current championship-leading W17, Stella estimates that the gap between the two cars is around three-to-four tenths per lap, with ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comJul 1, 2026, 3:00 PMMcLaren searching for answers behind losses to Mercedes on straights, despite same F1 power unit
McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella says that the team will investigate why it is losing around "one-and-a-half tenths" to Mercedes in the straights, despite running with a common power unit. Explaining where the MCL40 is currently stacked against the current championship-leading W17, Stella estimates that the gap between the two cars is around three-to-four tenths per lap, with ...Keep reading
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