Neil Houldey reviews McLaren's F1 2026 Barcelona shakedown, covering early hurdles, Mercedes PU modes, and the long road from 2024.
Photo Credit: McLaren F1 Team

Houldey on McLaren’s 2026 F1 shakedown week in Barcelona

Neil Houldey spoke with Formula1.com following the F1 2026 shakedown in Barcelona for McLaren. The team’s Technical Director of Engineering provided several insights on their week at the track. The three days in Barcelona marked a significant milestone in the car project that has been in development since 2024. Houldey on initial testing and operational…

Read More
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri reflects on F1 Barcelona Shakedown after day one in the MCL40
Photo Credit: McLaren F1 Team | X

Piastri reflects on the first day on track with McLaren at 2026 F1 Barcelona shakedown

Oscar Piastri reflected on his first day on track at the 2026 F1 Barcelona shakedown. The Australian’s first day of running did not go completely smoothly, as Piastri admits a fuel system issue cut the day short. Still, the McLaren driver remains excited to go again tomorrow and to work hard to ensure everything goes…

Read More
Lando Norris of McLaren Mercedes on track at the 2026 F1 Barcelona shakedown
Photo Credit: McLaren F1 Team

Lando Norris feels “surreal” carrying the number 1 on his McLaren at 2026 F1 Barcelona shakedown

2025 F1 world champion, Lando Norris, took over the honour from Max Verstappen to drive with the car boasting the number 1 at Barcelona shakedown. The McLaren driver with number one, hit the track at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Wednesday, with Norris completing 77 laps across a full systems shakedown. Norris admitted it still…

Read More
Chief designer Rob Marshall discusses the McLaren MCL40, their run on Day 3, and their programme for the remainder of the 2026 F1 shakedown in Barcelona
Photo Credit: McLaren F1 Team

Rob Marshall “quite happy” with McLaren F1’s solid 2026 debut on Day 3 of Barcelona shakedown

Chief designer Rob Marshall shared his thoughts on McLaren hitting the track for the first time with their 2026 car, how innovative the MCL40 is, and their run plan for the remainder of the F1 shakedown as the third day of the private event in Barcelona came to a close. McLaren initially dedicated their time…

Read More
While McLaren have unveiled the renders of the MCL40 in a testing livery, Red Bull have uncloaked their real 2026 F1 car ahead of Barcelona shakedown
Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

McLaren and Red Bull reveal renders of their 2026 F1 cars as pre-season shakedown commences in Barcelona

While McLaren have unveiled the renders of the MCL40 in a testing livery, Red Bull have published the first images of their real 2026 F1 car ahead of the behind-closed-doors Barcelona shakedown. As F1 undergoes a major regulations reset in 2026, ten teams, apart from Williams, are utilising a shakedown event prior to the two…

Read More
McLaren F1 have confimed that Leonardo Fornaroli and Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward will share reserve driver duties in 2026.
Photo Credit: McLaren F1 Team

Fornaroli and O’Ward to share reserve driver duties at McLaren for 2026 F1 season

Defending F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Champions McLaren have confirmed that 2025 F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward will share reserve driver duties for the 2026 season. Fornaroli and O’Ward form a strong reserve driver line-up at McLaren F1 Leonardo Fornaroli has had a magnificent couple of years. The Italian…

Read More
Head of Strategy at Red Bull Racing for many years, Will Courtenay has joined the McLaren F1 Team as Sporting Director.
Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

Former Red Bull Head of Strategy Will Courtenay begins Sporting Director role at McLaren F1

Head of Strategy at Red Bull Racing for many years, Will Courtenay has joined the McLaren F1 Team as Sporting Director. While it was announced in September 2024, the engineer only starts at the Woking-based team now. Starting at Jaguar before the car manufacturer left the sport at the end of 2004, the British engineer…

Read More
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - NOVEMBER 28: Sprint Pole qualifier Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren celebrates in parc ferme during Sprint Qualifying ahead of the F1 GP of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 28, 2025 in Lusail City, Qatar.
Photo Credit: McLaren Racing

F1 | Sprint Qualifying | Qatar GP | Piastri claims pole for Sprint Race; Verstappen 6th

Oscar Piastri claimed a stunning Sprint Race pole at the 2025 F1 Qatar GP, setting a new track record in Sprint Qualifying under the floodlights at Lusail. The McLaren driver edged out teammate George Russell and championship leader Lando Norris, showcasing the team’s impressive pace throughout qualifying. While Max Verstappen set early benchmarks and briefly…

Read More
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 09: Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren lifts his trophy on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 09, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Photo Credit: McLaren Racing

“A perfect, perfect weekend” for Norris as he seals victory at the 2025 F1 São Paulo GP

Lando Norris continued his winning streak in spectacular fashion at the 2025 F1 São Paulo GP, where the McLaren driver delivered a masterclass in pace, control, and composure. The victory marked another high point in what has been a breakthrough season for the 25-year-old Briton, who now finds himself not only fighting for wins but…

Read More