The key F1 mistake McLaren can't correct until 2027

McLaren has admitted that its 2026 Formula 1 car was designed with a wheelbase that is too short, a decision driven by the priority of saving weight under the new 2026 regulations. Technical director Neil Houldey explained that while a shorter car helped meet weight targets, it reduced the size of the floor the car can run, limiting aerodynamic development potential. The team acknowledges this mistake cannot be corrected until a longer car is built for the 2027 season, and team principal Andrea Stella has noted McLaren is already running approximately three months behind its main rivals.