McLaren F1 ‘would find it difficult to get out of Q1’ in 2026 if the regulations did not change

Dan Fallows, former aero official at Red Bull and former technical director at Aston Martin, thinks that McLaren F1 would collapse in the hierarchy if the 2025 regulation was kept for one more year, to the point of becoming one of the worst peloton teams.

“Development for 2025 slows down because the teams focus on the colossal task which consists in developing completely new cars for 2026” Written Fallows in a column published on Raceteq. Consequently, highlighting the margin of progression of the teams.

“It is increasingly difficult for teams to obtain more aerodynamic support from the main components of the car. For example, we have not seen a real innovation in the floor of cars for over a year. Similarly, There are many other ways to improve performance.”

“Management of the temperature of tires in running mclaren f1 ‘would find it is essential to allow drivers to drive at high speed. rather than riding below their capacities in order to preserve the lifespan of tires. Thermal management prevents tire skating. in particular at the level of the rear axle in the bends, which is a common problem for cars at the limit of adhesion.”

“If we were to maintain the current F1 regulations for the next two years. the development of McLaren stagnated compared to the rest of the peloton, the stable would find it difficult to get out of the Q1 by the end of 2026.”

“The pace of progress is extraordinary, as evidenced by the fate of the teams which failed to follow this pace. Ironically. the attention paid by the teams to the regulations of 2026 partly contributed to making the 2025 races tighter and more exciting.”

Words that are obviously to be put into mclaren f1 ‘would find it perspective. since if the fully revised regulation was not on the program, McLaren would also have developed his car in a more intense way, at a sustained level as it has done since 2023, on the basis of an MCL39 which is the most versatile single -seater of the grid.

And we remember that during the last race where the team brought a big evolution on its MCL39. Ferrari and Red Bull also had an important update of their package, and the Woking team was however the one that progressed the most.

Despite its desire to see the grid tightening. Fallows admits that regulation 2026 should make it possible to correct some faults from the current generation of single -seaters.

“Current regulations are not perfect. The cars are heavy due to increased safety requirements and more complex regulations. In addition, their significant size makes you more difficult mclaren f1 ‘would find it to organize races on narrower circuits like that of Monaco.”

“We still depend a lot on the drag reduction system (DRS) to allow overruns. And the cars are all similar, which is a shame given the innovation potential of the talented F1 teams.”

“The regulations of 2026 should change things in the right direction. the fans will be delighted with the prospect of a change in the hierarchy. Part of this change will come from the engines, which could become a more important performance factor.”

“Because some manufacturers will better succeed in adapting to larger energy tanks and the abolition of engine components (MGU-H). Aerodynamic regulations mark an abandonment of floors strongly sculpted in favor of a concept more in line with previous generations.”