What was “weird” about McLaren’s poor performance at rough Sepang

McLaren is analyzing why it lacked pace at Sepang after proving to be only the fourth-fastest car during the race weekend. Despite entering the event confident that the track's high-downforce demands would suit the MCL40, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri qualified sixth and seventh, well off polesitter Max Verstappen. In the race, an unsuccessful gamble to start on slick tyres in wet conditions left Piastri as the team's highest finisher in sixth place.

Team principal Andrea Stella noted that the rough Malaysian tarmac caused the car to operate in a weird way, while acknowledging competitors may have made larger developmental strides. Stella confirmed McLaren found no data anomalies and expects further upgrades before the season concludes.