McLaren turn up at the Singapore Grand Prix with serious concerns after a difficult stretch of races. Team principal Andrea Stella admitted the MCL40 regressed following recent development work, and the team accepted responsibility for a ongoing flaw affecting Lando Norris.

Norris called out a straight-line speed deficit as painful and said he was not confident the team could address it before Marina Bay.

A tyre strategy call during the Malaysian Grand Prix, which saw Oscar Piastri pitted under controversial conditions, was later described by the team as an error in judgement. Singapore's tight, low-speed street circuit is considered a bad match for the current car, heaping more stress on McLaren heading into the race weekend.