Mixed start, but signs of progress
The Woking-based team has endured a mixed start to the 2026 season.
Despite entering the season as defending champions, McLaren began to experience setbacks after an intense title fight last year and challenges adapting to the new engine regulations.
Their difficulties were highlighted by a double non-start in China, although performance improved significantly when the championship reached Japan.
Oscar Piastri showed this progress with a strong performance at Suzuka, where he fought for victory before eventually finishing second.
This performance reinforces our belief that McLaren’s underlying package has potential and upcoming upgrades are expected to enable further growth.
Stella warns that competitors will also improve
Stella also pointed out that the unusual gap in the racing calendar was a key factor in allowing teams to accelerate their development.
He said: “Of course the fact that the calendar was changed helped a little, as I’m sure helped all the other teams who were able to work more rationally on improving the car rather than worrying about racing.”
However, the Italian warned that McLaren’s rivals are likely to introduce similar upgrades in the same period.
“In Miami and Canada we will see an all-new MCL40. I would like to reiterate that I would expect this from most of our competitors.” [it is] “It won’t necessarily be a change in the pecking order, it will basically just be a review of who has been able to perform better in the same amount of time,” he explained.
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