Stella warns McLaren must out-develop rivals to compete in 'four-way battle'

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has pointed out how his team and drivers can 'make the difference' in what is shaping up to be an intriguing battle for the 2026 season.

During the opening week of winter testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull all took to the track. All four teams completed extensive mileage, addressing any lingering questions about their reliability.

In terms of pace, it was Ferrari and Mercedes who emerged as the early frontrunners, with Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest unofficial time of the week, just ahead of George Russell.

A return to the top of the timesheets during the second round of winter testing in Bahrain will be on McLaren's wishlist, and Stella marked another vital factor that could see his team leap ahead of their rivals.

Oscar Piastri taking to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during winter testing - Photo: McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

"It is clear that there are at least three competitors – Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull – who have all got off to a good start," Stella explained in a McLaren testing debrief.

"In particular, the Brackley team has definitely raised the bar, and we will have to work hard to do the same. The fact that the three teams I mentioned are equipped with three different power units is a first indication that there may not be extremely marked differences in terms of absolute performance, at least as far as some of the PU suppliers are concerned.

"More than ever before, this year it will be the ability of the teams and drivers to exploit the package at their disposal, as well as the ability to develop the car in the right direction, that will make the difference."

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Stella expecting many changes throughout the campaign

Up and down the grid, one of the biggest talking points has been about how much influence teams and drivers can have on the 2026 machines.

That point has been emphasised once again by Stella after the first set of winter tests in Barcelona, flagging potential game-changers in terms of performance in the new regulations.

"In any case, what we see in the first part of the season in terms of the balance of power will almost certainly not be the same as what we see in the second part," continued the Italian.

"It's precisely because the effects of car development in an early phase, such as the one we are experiencing now, can only be very significant."