McLaren's Japanese GP Performance Proves Pace to 'Hang On', Says Chandhok

McLaren's "massive step forward" in performance during the Japanese Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri finishing second and Lando Norris fifth, demonstrates that the team has the race pace to compete with and "hang on" against top rivals like Mercedes, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok. This double-points finish marks a significant turnaround after a challenging start to the 2026 season for the Woking-based squad.

Why it matters:

After a torrid opening to the year, McLaren's strong showing in Japan signals a potential return to form and confirms that their car updates are working. The ability to maintain position against faster cars, as noted by Chandhok, is crucial for consistently scoring big points and climbing the constructors' championship, challenging the established hierarchy.

The details:

• Race Results: Oscar Piastri secured his first podium of the season with P2, while teammate Lando Norris finished fifth, delivering McLaren's first double-points finish of 2026.
• Analyst Insight: Karun Chandhok highlighted that McLaren had "enough pace to hang on" after gaining track position early, though he noted the team might have hoped for more after running first and third on Lap 1.
• Mercedes Benchmark: Chandhok pointed to Mercedes' superior race pace, estimating that Kimi Antonelli gained about half a second per lap in clear air after the safety car, underscoring the gap McLaren must bridge.
• Track Position Key: The analysis suggests that on circuits like Suzuka, if McLaren can qualify well and secure track position, their current car performance allows them to defend effectively against faster competitors.

What's next:

The Japanese GP result provides a confidence boost for McLaren as the season develops. If the team can continue to optimize its package and replicate this defensive race pace on other tracks, it could become a regular threat for podiums and disrupt the fight at the front. The focus will now shift to maintaining this momentum in the upcoming races.