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Surprising McLaren Slump Leaves Former Champion Baffled
While McLaren impressed with their development last season, the team appears to be going backward this year, much to the astonishment of a former world champion.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-13T18:51:50.000Z - 1 min read
McLaren's performance is raising a striking number of questions this season. Particularly when compared to the previous year, the team's development has been a significant disappointment, a situation that has prompted even a former world champion to express bewilderment at the turn of events at the Woking outfit.
The critical eye does not come entirely out of nowhere. It was precisely last season that McLaren managed to bounce back in impressive fashion. The constant upgrades to the car were seen at the time as one of their greatest assets, resulting in a strong charge up the grid.
That positive trajectory now appears completely broken. While rivals continue to make steps forward, McLaren looks to be struggling to keep up the pace. The team even seems to be losing ground, a stark contrast to the forward-thinking image they had previously built.
It is this abrupt shift that is making many, including experienced paddock figures, raise their eyebrows. The developmental strength that was so plainly present last year has yet to manifest in their current results or progress.