Both drivers as well as Key expressed uncertainty regarding the team's performance at the Tuscan Grand Prix given that Formula One cars have never raced at the Mugello Circuit before. During the first free practice session, McLaren tested a new nose intended to be raced later in the season in order for it to be applied to the 2021 chassis. After the second free practice session, Sainz commented that the car lacked rear stability, but "if we manage to achieve a better balance tomorrow morning, our performance can improve considerably". In qualifying, Sainz would qualify in ninth and Norris in eleventh, the first time in 2020 the latter had not made it to the final stage of qualifying. Both drivers explained that the MCL35 was highly sensitive to wind, particularly tailwinds, but were happy with the performance of the car compared to the practice sessions. During the race, Stroll collided with Sainz on the opening lap causing him to spin. He was then hit by Sebastian Vettel who could not take evasive action, but unlike Vettel, Sainz did not take any vehicle damage. After the safety car restart Sainz collided heavily with Antonio Giovinazzi's Alfa Romeo after Giovinazzi collided with the suddenly slowing Williams of Nicholas Latifi and Magnussen, triggering the first red flag of the race. Sainz became the first McLaren race retirement of the 2020 season. Norris would finish the race in sixth. McLaren maintained third place in the Constructors' Championship, while Norris would take fourth in the Drivers' Championship as Sainz dropped to eleventh. At the conclusion of this race McLaren had scored in excess of 100 points in nine Grands Prix, much quicker than the 16 races it took in 2019. After the race Piers Thynne, McLaren's production director, stated that the team had "lost significant parts" in the race.