OFICIAL Formula 1

How McLaren’s 2026 season has played out so far

What happened
Based on Formula 1 · Aug 17, 2026

McLaren’s 2026 Formula 1 title defence began unevenly but showed recovery with Lando Norris securing the team’s first win in Hungary. Reliability issues, including a double DNS in China, posed challenges, while Norris leads the qualifying head-to-head.

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How McLaren’s 2026 season has played out so far
Formula 1 — Formula 1
Key points
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As we continue its half term reports for the 2026 season, it's time to look back on how McLaren's campaign has unfolded so far.
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The 2025 season marked one of the strongest in McLaren’s illustrious history, but the Woking-based outfit’s title defence got off to a rocky start in 2026.
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Signs of progress have rapidly emerged across recent rounds, however, with Lando Norris claiming the team’s first win of the campaign just prior to the summer break.
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The team fought back with some podium finishes across the rounds that followed – including a 2-3 result in Miami, where the squad appeared in contention for a win – but they had to wait until Round 11 in Hungary for a Grand Prix victory courtesy of Norris.
Key numbers
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Both drivers missed the Chinese Grand Prix, while Norris and Piastri later achieved podiums, including a 2-3 finish in Miami.
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Piastri’s best Saturday result was P3 in Japan and Hungary, demonstrating competitive pace despite early struggles.
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As we continue our half term reports for the 2026 season, it's time to look back on how McLaren's campaign has unfolded so far.

McLaren’s 2026 season started with setbacks, including Oscar Piastri’s absence in Australia and a double DNS in China due to power unit issues, leaving the team with an early points deficit. Both drivers missed the Chinese Grand Prix, while Norris and Piastri later achieved podiums, including a 2-3 finish in Miami. The team’s struggles with reliability were evident, with mechanical failures causing retirements in Canada, Monaco, and Hungary. These early challenges highlighted areas needing improvement ahead of the title defence.

Progress emerged mid-season, with Lando Norris claiming McLaren’s first Grand Prix victory in Hungary, converting pole position into a commanding win in the upgraded MCL40. Norris led the qualifying head-to-head with seven higher grid slots than Piastri, while both drivers shared five top finishes apiece. Piastri’s best Saturday result was P3 in Japan and Hungary, demonstrating competitive pace despite early struggles. The Hungary victory marked a turning point, offering optimism for the team’s ability to challenge consistently.

Norris’ victory in Hungary was the standout moment of McLaren’s 2026 season so far, with the driver praising the car’s performance and confidence. Team Principal Andrea Stella downplayed any perceived advantage but acknowledged the team’s progress. Norris and Piastri remain level in race-day results, each holding five higher finishes, while reliability issues persisted, including Piastri’s DNF in Hungary due to gearbox failure. The team’s focus now shifts to maintaining momentum and addressing weaknesses to secure more victories.

McLaren enters the second half of the season aiming to build on Norris’ Hungary triumph, with the margins between top teams tightening. Stella emphasized the need for continued development, reliability improvements, and future upgrades to sustain competitive performance. Norris cautioned that consistency would be crucial, stating the team must push harder to challenge rivals. With the season finely poised, McLaren’s ability to deliver upgrades and avoid reliability issues will determine their chances of adding to their 2026 tally before the championship concludes.

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