'Too safe' call leaves McLaren under pressure in 2026 F1 title battle
An unfortunate tyre gamble and weak reliability in Canada left McLaren facing an uphill battle to defend its titles in 2026
The Williams FW08 and FW30 will be highlights of the NEC Classic Motor Show

The Rosberg dynasty will be celebrated at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham, on November 10-12, with Keke’s title-winning FW08 Williams and the FW30 driven by son Nico both on display.
The two cars will be on our stand at the popular show, tickets are available at www.necclassicmotorshow.com.
Both cars hold significant places in the history books: Keke’s fifth place in the FW08 at Caesars Palace in 1982 secured his world championship crown, while Nico Rosberg first stepped onto the Formula 1 podium when he drove a FW30 to third at Melbourne in 2008.
He finished second at the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix the following September.
Our thanks go to Williams Heritage for generously lending these cars for display.
You’ll be able to see the two cars side by side on the Motor Sport stand in Hall 1. Tickets are available now at www.necclassicmotorshow.com, starting from £23.50.
Or, subscribe to Motor Sport today and receive a free pair of tickets.
An unfortunate tyre gamble and weak reliability in Canada left McLaren facing an uphill battle to defend its titles in 2026
Mercedes was the dominant force in Canada, and there was little to split its two drivers until a power unit failure forced George Russell out, leaving Kimi Antonelli cruising to a record-breaking fourth Formula 1 victory
Hamilton decided not to use the simulator to prepare for the Canadian GP, but as Mark Hughes explains, Montreal may be exactly the wrong place to ditch it
Hamilton arrived in Montreal having skipped the simulator entirely in his preparation, but it wasn't an oversight