Why McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella stated the team cannot fully resolve its Formula 1 car handling issues without fundamental technical changes that will not arrive until the 2027 season with the MCL41. Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have both struggled with the tricky handling traits across the campaign, finding the car operates on a knife edge.

Norris explained after the Singapore Grand Prix that the car requires constant force rather than providing a natural balance, making qualifying laps mentally exhausting. Stella noted that these demanding characteristics particularly challenged Piastri, whose smooth and clean driving style required significant adaptation to extract competitive lap times.