McLaren turn up at the Singapore Grand Prix under pressure after a difficult stretch of races. Team principal Andrea Stella admitted the MCL40 dropped off following recent development work, and the team accepted responsibility for a recurring problem affecting Lando Norris.

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

A tyre strategy call during the Malaysian Grand Prix, which saw Oscar Piastri pitted under controversial conditions, was later called out as an error in judgement. Singapore's narrow, technical layout is considered a poor fit for the MCL40, adding to the pressure on McLaren going into the race weekend.