McLaren arrives at the Australian GP, the opening of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with a positive assessment of the tests carried out in recent months. The team completed more than 1,000 laps in nine days of testing, with sessions in Barcelona and Bahrain, providing valuable data on the performance and reliability of the MCL40. For Andrea Stella, team principal, this work was fundamental to understanding the initial stage of the car’s development.
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“We arrive at the season opener satisfied with the work carried out in testing. This gave us a satisfactory insight into the performance and reliability of the MCL40. The car we will take to Albert Park will be, for the most part, the same specification seen in Bahrain, with some aerodynamic refinements. We will continue to work on important areas, such as weight reduction and distribution optimization, in addition to further exploring the potential of the power unit,” said Stella.
The 2026 season presents itself as a great challenge, but also an opportunity for McLaren. Stella highlighted the excitement of returning to the tracks and revealed that, despite the progress, the work is just beginning: “We are looking forward to finally seeing where we really are, with the first races revealing our position,” he concluded.
Rob Marshall, technical director and head of design at McLaren, also commented on the challenges faced during testing. He highlighted the complexity of the new car, stating that the MCL40 requires careful operation both on and off the track. The team has been focusing on optimizing the use of the power unit, with special attention to the right time to recover and release energy during a race weekend.
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“The MCL40 has proven to be a very complex car to operate. We spent a lot of time exploring its performance and capabilities. Power unit management has been an intense focus. Every lap has been crucial to better understanding the car,” he said.
McLaren is confident with the lessons learned so far, but knows that adapting to the Melbourne circuit will be a new challenge: “Now, in Melbourne, we need to adjust the ideal settings, under the pressure of a race weekend on a different circuit,” he added.
He also shared his vision for the season, highlighting the competitiveness of the grid in 2026: “I believe we are in the front group, along with major competitors like Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull. The season will be fascinating and full of surprises. The development race will be intense and we are looking forward to starting,” the team director concluded.
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