McLaren struggles with Mercedes customer team status in F1 2026
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 8, 2026, 11:19 AM
Last updated Jun 8, 2026
McLaren has faced setbacks in recent races, following a strong performance earlier this season. After a promising double podium finish in Miami, the team encountered difficulties in Montreal and Monaco, with issues including a poor tyre choice in Canada and a gearbox failure that sidelined Lando Norris. This has prompted discussions about how being a customer team to Mercedes may be disadvantageous for McLaren as they seek competitive performance. The team's struggles highlight the complexities of their current standing in the championship.
- •McLaren secured a double podium in Miami earlier this season.
- •Issues in Montreal included a wrong tyre choice and a gearbox failure.
- •Lando Norris faced a DNF in Monaco.
- •Discussions arise regarding the disadvantages of being a Mercedes customer team.
- •Montreal and Monaco performances contrast with the team's earlier success.
- 12:00 PMMotorsport.com — “We have not been fast enough” – Why McLaren sees Monaco as a reality check
- 11:19 AMMotorsport.com — McLaren admits Mercedes customer team status has become a disadvantage in F1 2026
- 11:19 AMYahoo Sports — McLaren admits Mercedes customer team status has become a disadvantage in F1 2026
- 11:12 AMAutosport — Why McLaren sees Mercedes customer team status as a disadvantage in F1 2026
"McLaren’s double podium finish in Miami appeared, much like it did two years ago, to mark the beginning of an upward trajectory. The team introduced the second part of its Formula 1 upgrade package in Montreal, but the progress since then has not proven to be linear. Lando Norris retired in both Montreal and Monaco due to power unit and gearbox problems, while outright pace was also lacking ...Keep reading
"After McLaren secured a double podium in Miami and appeared to have turned a corner following its first major upgrade of the year, the race weekends in Montreal and Monaco have not gone according to plan. In Canada, things partly unravelled due to the decision to start on intermediate tyres, while Lando Norris later retired with a gearbox issue. Monaco brought another DNF for the reigning ...Keep reading
"After McLaren secured a double podium in Miami and appeared to have turned a corner following its first major upgrade of the year, the race weekends in Montreal and Monaco have not gone according to plan. In Canada, things partly unravelled due to the decision to start on intermediate tyres, while Lando Norris later retired with a gearbox issue. Monaco brought another DNF for the reigning ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comJun 10, 2026, 12:00 PM“We have not been fast enough” – Why McLaren sees Monaco as a reality check
McLaren’s double podium finish in Miami appeared, much like it did two years ago, to mark the beginning of an upward trajectory. The team introduced the second part of its Formula 1 upgrade package in Montreal, but the progress since then has not proven to be linear. Lando Norris retired in both Montreal and Monaco due to power unit and gearbox problems, while outright pace was also lacking ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comJun 8, 2026, 11:19 AMMcLaren admits Mercedes customer team status has become a disadvantage in F1 2026
After McLaren secured a double podium in Miami and appeared to have turned a corner following its first major upgrade of the year, the race weekends in Montreal and Monaco have not gone according to plan. In Canada, things partly unravelled due to the decision to start on intermediate tyres, while Lando Norris later retired with a gearbox issue. Monaco brought another DNF for the reigning ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJun 8, 2026, 11:19 AMMcLaren admits Mercedes customer team status has become a disadvantage in F1 2026
Andrea Stella says McLaren has felt the downsides of being a customer team for the first time this Formula 1 season, although he stresses that Mercedes HPP is not to blame
- AutosportJun 8, 2026, 11:12 AMWhy McLaren sees Mercedes customer team status as a disadvantage in F1 2026
After McLaren secured a double podium in Miami and appeared to have turned a corner following its first major upgrade of the year, the race weekends in Montreal and Monaco have not gone according to plan. In Canada, things partly unravelled due to the decision to start on intermediate tyres, while Lando Norris later retired with a gearbox issue. Monaco brought another DNF for the reigning ...Keep reading
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