McLaren’s Baku nightmare: a double DNF that leaves the tam searching for answers
It was a devastating afternoon for McLaren in Azerbaijan, marking their third failure to score points this season following China and Canada. Despite flashes of potential, a combination of technical deficiencies, driver errors, and on-track incidents left the team empty-handed in Baku.
Piastri’s Podium Hopes Vanish in a Flash
Oscar Piastri appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough. Throughout much of the race, the Australian driver maintained a strong second-place position, showcasing a level of adaptation to the 2026 car that had previously eluded him. However, the momentum was halted in the closing laps when a mistake sent him down the Turn 1 escape road. With the field bunched up behind a Safety Car, the error proved fatal to his race, causing him to tumble out of the top 10.
Team Principal Andrea Stella praised Piastri’s defensive driving, noting, “He was very precise. His race reminded me very much of what he did in 2024 to win the race.” Despite the heartbreak, Stella emphasized that Piastri seems to have finally grasped the complexities of the 2026 machinery.
Norris: A Weekend of Technical Frustrations
Lando Norris endured an equally grueling weekend. A persistent power unit issue—specifically related to fuel injection—hampered his performance on the straights, making him vulnerable to attacks. This technical deficit was compounded by a collision involving Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly, which saw the World Champion eliminated from the race and resulted in the loss of critical upgraded parts.
The team’s struggles were not limited to a single component. Stella highlighted a lack of top speed and aerodynamic efficiency as key issues. Addressing the performance gap, Stella noted, “We need to look, I think, as a team, to why the car wasn't as competitive as it should be in these long straights.” This struggle with straight-line speed was a recurring theme, as seen in previous sessions where Lando Norris suffered a top speed deficit in Azerbaijan GP qualifying.
Looking Ahead: Development Shifts Focus
While the Baku upgrade package aimed to improve slow-corner performance, the race results highlighted a need for more predictable and raceable characteristics. Despite the disappointment, Stella remained optimistic about the new parts, confirming they had delivered encouraging data.
However, the team is already pivoting. While a few remaining components will arrive for the MCL40, McLaren has officially shifted its primary development focus toward next year’s car.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.