McLaren heads to Austin looking for answers

McLaren left Singapore with fourth and fifth places, but the result did not hide a sense of a missed opportunity. The team lacked the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari throughout the weekend, and the fight for the podium proved harder than expected. That marks a notable shift from the period after the summer break, when McLaren looked like one of the leading forces.

Lando Norris had a chance to challenge near the front, but lost time behind Lewis Hamilton and could not keep Kimi Antonelli behind him. Norris admitted that one of his attempts was “a bit unnecessary”. Oscar Piastri also had a difficult day and needed an extra stop after a slow puncture.

The Race reports that McLaren plans to begin introducing an upgrade package in Austin. It will be an important test: the changes need to improve the car without creating new balance problems. With three races in the Americas ahead, McLaren has time to recover, but every lost point could matter at the end of the season. The team will need to show measurable gains in both qualifying and race pace, rather than only over isolated laps, before its rivals extend their advantage.

Source: The Race