Alex Brundle raises doubts about McLaren F1's upgrade following letdown at the Azerbaijan GP.

During his guest appearance on the F1 Nation podcast, Brundle contended that while the lack of points didn't accurately reflect the upgrades' capabilities, the physical vulnerability of the new components was a significant issue.

"Finishing with zero points isn't, in my opinion, a just evaluation. It’s all about how the car performs, not just the results."

He further remarked: "They have a challenge, as the upgrade must be structurally sound; throughout the weekend, there were visible cracks in the floorboards on the side of the car.

Lando Norris, McLaren

"Lando Norris was advised once again to avoid the kerbs during the race. If they introduced an upgrade that could enhance aerodynamic performance later in the season, but it cannot be utilized due to structural weaknesses, that may result in an upgrade heading for the scrap heap.

"There is no greater setback in the 2026 Formula 1 season than investing heavily in wind tunnel development, particularly as reigning champions, on upgrades that fail to deliver."

Currently, McLaren ranks third in the constructors' standings with 306 points, trailing championship leaders Mercedes at 538 points and Ferrari in second with 378 points.