How fast?

McLaren had a very hard weekend. The McLaren is hamstrung by shorter gearing that, while aiding acceleration in slow corners, blunts its top speed relative to rivals. In the old days, teams would simply bring appropriate sets of gears to each track, but in 2026 you have to declare all eight ratios (plus the final drive) before the start of the year, with only one change allowed all season. Consequently, the McLaren was the second-slowest car in a straight line.

Speaking of straight-line speeds, they were a lot lower down that massive straight than the cars last year. As we have discussed ad nauseam, the 2026 hybrid power units can only store enough energy in their batteries for around 11–12 seconds of full power from the electric motor that provides almost half the cars’ 1,005 hp (750 kW) power output. When this battery runs out, it’s just down to the V6 until there’s another chance to recharge it.

Notably, F1 did not show us any speed or battery state-of-charge information for any of the cars while they were on the main straight. Previously, F1’s president and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, had told The Race that “no one is interested in how you drive your car” and that “the people are interested if you’re overtaking or not,” but that’s an inconsistent stance when those on-screen displays showing state of charge and the car’s speed are being used for other sections of the track.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri actually looked set for a good day, something the Australian driver could use. He started third and passed Leclerc in the opening laps to take second, where he stayed until lap 35 and a safety car restart, when he got jumped by Verstappen. In the next lap, being harassed by Hadjar into turn 1, Piastri unlocked both front tires under braking and had to take to the escape road. It was an uncharacteristic mistake and one that took him far out of the 10 point paying positions; he finished in 14th.