McLaren targets Singapore rebound despite slow-corner doubts

McLaren is seeking a stronger Singapore result after saying Azerbaijan and the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia fell short of its hopes following the latest upgrade. Technical director Neil Houldey says the MCL40 may be less suited to Marina Bay’s slow, 90-degree corners.

After the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, McLaren says it used the brief interval before Singapore to analyse how to give Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri a more competitive package. Houldey says the team did not fully maximise the performance available from its car at its last two events. He also notes that the competitive order has varied from circuit to circuit this season.

Singapore hosts its first Sprint-format weekend, which is also the final Sprint of the season. Drivers have only one hour of free practice before Sprint Qualifying, so Houldey says preparation before the weekend carries greater importance. He also says the expected heat makes cooling the engine, gearbox, brakes and driver a priority.

McLaren says it has a quick car and wants to win both the Sprint and the Grand Prix. In the standings after Bahrain, McLaren is third in the Constructors’ Championship on 316 points, 89 behind second. Norris is fifth in the Drivers’ Championship with 188 points, three behind fourth; Piastri is seventh on 128, 60 behind sixth.

The Sprint is scheduled for 17:00 local time on Saturday, 10 October; the Grand Prix starts at 20:00 on Sunday, 11 October.