McLaren arrives at the 2026 Formula 1 season opener at the Australian GP with optimism. The British team heads to the Albert Park Circuit in search of a second consecutive victory in the country, after Lando Norris won last year, becoming the first McLaren driver to win in Australia since Jenson Button in 2012.
Read more F1: FIA open to rule adjustments as early as 2026
“This season is an exciting but complex challenge, and it’s great to be back racing. That’s why we’re in the sport,” said team principal Andrea Stella. “We’re looking forward to putting our cards on the table in Melbourne and seeing where we really stand. Everyone at McLaren played an important role in getting the MCL40 on track, but the hard work starts now.”
In pre-season testing, McLaren completed more than 1.000 laps between Barcelona and Bahrain, including 817 laps at the Bahraini circuit, more than any other team. Despite this, Oscar Piastri’s fastest time was 3º overall, and the MCL40 will remain virtually unchanged for Australia, with minor aerodynamic adjustments and improvements in weight distribution and power unit potential.
Read more F1: Norris and McLaren nominated for a major award
“The tests provided satisfactory learnings about the performance and reliability of the MCL40. The car we take to Melbourne will be basically the same as in Bahrain, with specific adjustments,” Stella added.
The Australian GP takes place from 5 to 8 March, with the first practice on Thursday night at 22h30 Brasília time. F1MANIA.NET follows all the action in real time.
Read more F1: Tension in the Middle East puts Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs at risk
