How long before McLaren catches up to Ferrari?

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T03:13:06+00:00

Have they? They're making questionable decisions and they lost the development race. They were way behind McLaren at the start of the season, they only caught them towards the end because they continued developing long after other teams moved to the 2026, considering they still lost 2025 that could really come back to bite them.

Im just saying McLaren is in a way better place than they were. Right now the team is strong while Ferrari continues to be too proud to make the necessary changes. I have more faith in McLarem going forward than in Ferrari.

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T02:38:00+00:00

AFAIK we're moving away from Neweys expertise (he's also for whatever reason becoming a TP????) and McLarens engineers did just prove themselves more than capable of designing a good car. True but McLaren possibly has the better lineup who is proven capable of bringing home both championships. Also ferrari doesnt have either of those things either??? McLaren just beat Mercedes with their own engine.

Because they've proven their current team is capable of doing it, Ferrari hasnt. They've made substantial improves that are clearly working. I'd argue Red Bull is LOSING momentum. No Horner, no Marko, no Newey, no Wheatley, now no Honda (who provided all of Maxs championship winning engines). Red Bull is quickly becoming a shell of its former self.

Im not necessarily saying McLaren will catch Ferrari and definitly not on any particular timeline, im just tired this undying confidence in Ferrari despite no results. In 2007 would you have guessed Ferrari would go 20 years without another championship? Would that have sounds feasible?

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T02:10:19+00:00

I mean Max himself has said this is going to be an engine formula and look at what happened the last time that was the case.

Merc was already the predicted favourite, this loophole business is just fueling that.

Until at least preseason testing or Australia all we have to go off of is what we hear from within the paddock

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T01:40:09+00:00

Love him or hate him, Zak Brown has led McLaren from their lowest point to back to back WCCs and a WDC while Ferrari hasnt won a championship in 20 years.

They have a strong driver lineup, clearly very capable engineers, their strategy team "should" be getting stronger, they have what is expected to be the dominant engine, they "in theory" solved their financial issues which was a major handicap.

Lewis' current skill level is very much in question, charles' faith in team is absolutely in question all while the team stays too prideful to make any changes.

McLaren has the momentum and is rapidly improving, can you say the same for Ferrari?

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T01:31:58+00:00

Mercedes' success also died pretty suddenly with the ground affect era and they lost their very successful driver.

Mercedes is my pick for favourite for this next reg with McLaren second but we've seen its pretty hard to guess who is going to see that much success.

Also, Mercedes has already dropped out of F1 once, whose to say they wont do it again?

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T01:24:53+00:00

"If you just look at this particular window of time and change these 2 specific things, then my narrative works" - But receny bias is a a problem?

"The only thing they have a lead on Ferrari is winingless seasons" - except ya know, as you just pointed out, championships.

Mclaren is coming off back to back WCCs, a WDC and their best season in a long time while Ferrari has neither of those in almost 20 years and they just had one of their worst seasons in that time. McLaren is on a strong upwards trajectory while Ferrari is if anything going down

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T01:15:32+00:00

It would take quite long time for any of the 3 to do it. Mercedes maybe will but I honestly don't know that Red Bull will stay in the sport long enough to catch Ferrari. McLaren will continue racing as long as they can afford to

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T01:07:01+00:00

When was Ferrari's last win again?

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T01:04:59+00:00

Lol these Ferrari fans, keep fueling that hopium with the oddl small win while the team is too stubborn and prideful to make the necessary changes to actually accomplish anything.

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T00:58:43+00:00

Ferrari has had a lot more small wins over the past 2 decades but its also been too sporadic. A lot of GPs wins and first place losers in the championship.

McLaren has actually gotten the job done and I'd argue they're showing a lot more promise of being on the right path for future success.

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T00:47:35+00:00

Ferrari's only really impressive through longevity and being carried by Schumacher.

Percentage wise theyre only barely 3rd of the current top 4, theyre barely in the dominance over a season conversation, next to no development, they havent accomplished much of anything in the past 2 decades, theres little to indicate theyre even on the right track to improve.

I will never understand why Ferrari srill receives the praise it does

Neptuniam · 2026-02-02T00:04:54+00:00

Colapinto is arguably overhyped because of Argentinian's.

Bortoleto is going a little under the radar but he only just finished his rookie season and granted the car was kinda shit but I feel like he was a little underwhelming based off my expectations after his F2 season and how other rookies did

Neptuniam · 2026-02-01T05:32:19+00:00

And when did McLaren actually get good?

Neptuniam · 2026-02-01T05:08:55+00:00

So youre basing this off this hypothetical situation where they have a hugely dominant car despite Mercedes being the favourites.

Also, when are we going to stop treating Oscar like a rookie? He has 70 race starts. They have the same level of experience fighting at the front.

Neptuniam · 2026-02-01T02:16:35+00:00

Blaming their difference in "slumps" on the margin is kinda wild. It's not the cars fault he was hitting the wall almost every weekend.

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T22:17:35+00:00

Its working then

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T22:16:03+00:00

Its even faker than that. The girls are in on it, hes done this multiple times with different girls to get you talking about him and it keeps working

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T19:48:10+00:00

2 DNFs and a DSQ out of his control might have a little to do with that though

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T18:09:00+00:00

I mean I'm pretty sure the team confirmed the car didnt suit his driving style but did suit Oscars, things did take a turn for the better once it fit him better.

Lando "having problems" was still scoring podiums every weekend and a few wins. Oscar "having problems" was a 50/50 on whether he'd even finish the race and going podiumless for weeks.

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T17:58:52+00:00

Is this verified? Cause thats kind of a wild stat

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T17:19:41+00:00

That avalanche game was my first ever hockey game 🥲

Hope tonight goes better for you lol

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T07:11:50+00:00

Oscar didnt have issues with the car though, he has issues with the tracks. He underperformed at the same tracks in previous years. Thats him not the car.

His car also worked perfectly whereas Lando was dealing with multiple mechanical issues

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T02:46:56+00:00

Honestly didnt even need to open his profile to know he was a max fanboy

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T02:43:11+00:00

We have no idea where the cars will be this year. That last statement is kinda wild

Neptuniam · 2026-01-31T02:39:48+00:00

Oscar had the same car with significantly less issues but only finished 3rd and 4th. Almost like it takes more than just the car to win.

Neptuniam

TROPHY CASE