Current McLaren

Arguably one of the big teams in Formula One but lately they don't seem to be able to get the basics right.
Some of their strategy and decisions in the last few years has left more than a few observers scratching their heads.

Just a few for starters:

• Leaving Kimi out on a badly flat-spotted tyre, resulting in it exploding on the last lap.
• Leaving Hamilton out on tyres so badly worn they were down to the canvas; Bridgestone themselves demanded that McLaren bring him in and McLaren refused, keeping him out for a few more laps. That decision arguably cost Hamilton the first rookie WDC and is one which will haunt him and McLaren for the rest of their days.
• Not sending Button and Hamilton out to get banker laps in during Q1.
• Sending Hamilton out on used tyres in Q3, with rain forecast, meaning it would be impossible to set a fast lap time on his second attempt on new tyres.

Their major updates seem to send them further down the grid, instead of challenging for pole positions and wins. As the season progresses they tend to get worse before getting better, by which time it is generally too late.

It's often said of them "write them off at your peril", but is this necessarily true?

The last time they won the WCC was in 1998 and their last WDC was 2008, before that 1999.
Their days of regularly winning championships seem to be well and truly behind them.

It's all well and good coming up with reasons why they haven't won championships.
The fact remains though, they have won just one WDC in the last 12 years.

So where to now for McLaren?

(I wrote this in rather a hurry so I will flesh it out when I have more time.)

 

[cider_and_toast]

If McLaren are going to get over their recent woes getting Ferrari engines may score them more points but make them champions? No chance.

Unfortunately I think they are now treading the same path as Williams, Lotus, Brabham and BRM.

 

[Road of Bones]

Am I the only one who wouldn't mind seeing a McLaren Alfa Romeo?

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

Why don't they develop their own power units?

 

[Andyoak]

Because they've seen how hard it is?
If you think they're struggling with Honda; it'll be a whole lot worse.

 

[Rutherford]

Why don't they develop their own power units?

Probably the costs and development know-how. This way they're even making money by being sponsered by Honda.

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

But losing millions in team payments for their dismal performance year after year.

It wasn't really a serious suggestion but they are a car company, and have developed their own road car engines in the past. Obviously this is a whole different ball game and the development expenses are large.

 

[Il_leone]

Mclaren developing their own engines.. that had suggested so many times before but the issue for them seems to be they want to make sure the road car division is completely separate from the F1 team

In the past for their Gt cars it was in partnership with BMW

 

[FB]

This is an interesting story. You could read all sorts in to it.

13 historic F1 McLarens held as collateral as Dennis awaits pay-out - Pitpass.com

 

[Titch]

Is Ron Dennis worth 500million.

500 million FFS.

 

[teabagyokel]

I'm seeing Ron maniacally laughing while sitting in the 1988 car, shouting "Its ownership has defaulted to myself, at the present time!" at passers-by.

 

[cider_and_toast]

I'm seeing a team that's heading down the swanny if they are not careful.

 

[Il_leone]

It just seems to get worse for Mclaren. They still might end up with Honda engines

 

[Bill Boddy]

Is Ron Dennis worth 500million.

500 million FFS.

Well Ron Dennis did build up the team and at the same time his holding in the McLaren company. This money is only what they owe him to buy out his shareholding.

 

[F1Brits_90]

wonder if Eric Bouiller had the same line as Jeremy Clarkson had at the silverstone 24 hour on top gear

WE'RE NOT BOTTOM

 

[Il_leone]

Will we see a 2nd half season resurgence because everyone up to Williams is very much catchable if Mclaren and Honda make real progress

 

[FB]

Gossip, rumour and speculation - McLaren-Honda split moves closer as team eyes Renault for 2018

 

[Bill Boddy]

Just been catching up on the Silverstone MotoGP race.

Spoiler

First F1, then Daytona and now Marquez has had his Honda engine blow up.

. It is spreading.

 

[Incubus]

I think it's quite a bit more than just gossips on this one, and there could be one or two stories developping here for F1 as a whole and not just McLaren or Honda.
If mcLaren are in a mind to play some sort of political games by effectively forcing Renault's hand by activating the FIA rule that would see them obliged to provide a fourth team if the Torro Rosso situation came to nothing against the will of both Renault and the FIA (who'd prefer Honda to remain in F1) there are one or two cans of worms ripe for opening here and there.

 

[FB]

I suppose Renault could give McLaren a year old engine, like Ferrari have with Sauber.

 

[Road of Bones]

I suppose Renault could give McLaren a year old engine, like Ferrari have with Sauber.

Ooh, you're an evil man, FB