How McLaren's tyre gamble unravelled their Canadian GP

McLaren entered the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix as Mercedes' closest challengers but their race unravelled after they chose to start both drivers on intermediate tyres, a decision that quickly backfired. The tyre gamble proved costly, dropping them out of contention while Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton went on to finish in second place. The race outcome highlighted how a single strategic miscalculation can dramatically alter a team's result in changing conditions.