McLaren may have boxed themselves into ‘a corner’ with design choice for Oscar Piastri’s F1 car

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McLaren have been told that they have got themselves into a corner with the concept of their challenger for 2026, the MCL40. 

This year, McLaren are looking to win their third consecutive constructors’ title, with Lando Norris defending the driver’s championship.

It has been a stuttering start to the new campaign as Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to start the Chinese Grand Prix. 

However, things improved in Japan, with Piastri finishing second and Norris coming home in fifth place.

After three Grands Prix, McLaren sit third in the standings with 46 points, 44 points off Ferrari and 89 behind Mercedes.

McLaren may have boxed themselves ‘into a corner’ with design of the MCL40

In the latest episode of The Race Podcast, F1 journalist Mark Hughes claimed that McLaren may have boxed themselves ‘into a corner’ with the design concept of the MCL40. 

He explained: “There have been no visible developments on it, we are expecting significant upgrades at Miami. One thing that stands out is that it is a short car, it’s 10cm to 12cm shorter than Mercedes and most of the others.

“I think in concept, the idea is that it works the floor super hard, and you look at some of the details on the wing, which are very complex.”

Hughes continued: “They are looking to overcome a shorter floor, but I think they are generically down on downforce. Possibly, McLaren have got themselves in a corner with that design. 

“It’s just the concept of the car, it’s pretty good in slow corners and it’s also shorter geared, which makes it better off the line.”

Edd Shaw then outlined the downforce deficit as a weakness and good slow-speed performance as a strength of the MCL40.

READ MORE: McLaren have bonus goal for Miami upgrades beyond making Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s car faster

Will McLaren bring upgrades for the Miami Grand Prix?

Reflecting on his team’s start to 2026, team principal Andrea Stella said in China: “In Australia, 50 per cent of the deficit was due to poor engine utilisation. The other 50 per cent was due to cornering performance.

“In Shanghai, we managed to reduce the engine performance gap somewhat. But it’s still just as large in the corners. The car’s foundation is solid and well-developed. Now, we simply need to improve overall performance.”

The Italian went on to tease that McLaren are looking to bring upgrades for next month’s Miami Grand Prix. 

He added: “The first major upgrade package is planned for Miami.”