Sky F1’s Croft hints at major McLaren push for Miami

A familiar storyline may be about to unfold in Formula 1 – one where McLaren turns early-season frustration into mid-season momentum. And if Sky F1’s David Croft is right, the spark for that revival could arrive as soon as Miami.

After a mixed start to 2026, the reigning Constructors’ Champions have shown flashes of last year’s brilliance – but not yet the consistency or outright pace to match the early dominance of rival Mercedes.

With three wins from three races, the Silver Arrows have set the benchmark, leaving McLaren searching for answers – and speed.

But answers, it seems, may already be on the way.

Miami in the crosshairs

The enforced April break in the F1 calendar could prove decisive. With extra time to regroup and refine, McLaren is believed to be preparing a significant upgrade package aimed squarely at closing the gap to Mercedes.

As an F1 insider and well-informed pundit, Crofty didn’t shy away from fuelling that speculation.

“Yeah, I agree,” he said on the Sky Sports podcast when discussing whether the five-week hiatus will provide Mercedes’ rivals with a chance to play catch-up on the development front.

“And I think McLaren have a big, big upgrade coming in Miami that they’re already very pleased with in terms of the numbers it’s given them from the simulator.”

It’s a tantalising prospect. McLaren has built a reputation in recent years for bold, effective development surges – none more dramatic than their 2023 turnaround, which laid the foundation for back-to-back title successes.

If history repeats itself, Miami could mark the beginning of another shift in the competitive order.

Signs of life in Suzuka

There were already hints of a revival at Suzuka. Oscar Piastri delivered a standout performance, qualifying strongly and leading confidently before strategy and circumstance intervened.

He ultimately finished second – but the result didn’t tell the full story.

Croft believes victory may have slipped through McLaren’s fingers, although it’s an outcome that team boss Andrea Stella has doubted.

“I think Oscar Piastri might have won [in Japan], actually, without the safety car,” Croft said.

“And I know Kimi’s pace before the safety car was pretty lightning, but he still had to fight his way through the field a little bit and make some overtakes.

“Oscar had track position, and I think, had he kept that track position, he would have gone on to win it.”

“He looked so comfortable, and that was one of the big takeaways. From a pleasing perspective for me, Oscar A) got to race and B) looked pretty good when he was racing.”

Read also:

• Safety car leaves McLaren wondering: Could Piastri have won?

Miami now looms as a potential inflection point. With a “big, big upgrade” waiting in the wings and renewed confidence from Suzuka, the ingredients for a comeback are there.

Whether it’s enough to reel in Mercedes remains to be seen – but one thing is certain: the next phase of the 2026 season could be about to get very interesting.

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