Despite defending both the drivers and constructors Championships, McLaren do not enter 2026 as favourites. Owing to the brand new regulations, the papaya team’s advantage from last season evaporated over the winter.
Heading into Australia, McLaren are seen as one of the front-runners. However, the consensus at this stage is that Mercedes – and potentially Ferrari and Red Bull – are slightly faster.
There are still a few uncertainties for Andrea Stella’s team to identify and work to resolve this weekend, partly due to the constraints the team faces as a customer outfit.
With that said, the Woking-based operation are confident in their mid-season development – as Lando Norris explains.
McLaren aim to replicate previous feats
It was less than three years ago that McLaren finished the 2023 Miami GP at the back of the field. At the time, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri seemed destined to spend the season at the back.
Within a few months, however, a series of upgrades starting in Austria reversed the team’s fortunes.
McLaren would go from strength to strength in 2024 and 2025, claiming successive constructors titles and a first drivers title in almost two decades.
Partly because of the team’s commitment to last year’s battle with Max Verstappen for the Championship, McLaren’s 2026 development was slightly delayed than the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull.
Still, the British squad have successfully navigated a tricky balancing act – with their MCL40 seemingly amongst the best on the grid.
Looking ahead to Australia, reigning Champion Lando Norris is not expecting the fastest package. Regardless, the Briton is confident in his team’s ability to recover any deficit:
“I’ve got good confidence in myself which is a nice way to start the season, and confidence in the team.
“I think we probably don’t have the same level of confidence in our outright speed compared to what we had at the beginning of last year. But we’re confident in our ability, over the course of a season, to get back to where we want to be.
“It’s not like we’re coming here and we’re confident we’re going to win.
“We know in past years… the amount we’ve been able to turn things around in a season where it’s all about development – bringing upgrades, learning more about the car, being efficient. That was one of our biggest strengths.
“We’ll just take it easy, no matter where we finish here or China – or in the first few races of the season. We’re confident that through the year, we’ll be able to get back to where we really want, and that’s something we’ll look forward to.”
Understanding the playing field
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella won’t be upset to see other teams capturing the headlines. The Italian much prefers to go under the radar and avoid the usual expectations that follow the defending Champions.
Of course, this does not dampen the ambitions within the Woking factory.
To start the season, the MCL40 will need to undergo fine-tuning and optimisation. Unlike some of the other big names, there aren’t any significant changes to McLaren’s 2026 package in Australia compared to testing.
Stella wants his engineers to fully understand their existing package before introducing any updates. Like in previous campaigns, the British team prioritise having a solid foundation to ensure smooth development in the medium-term.
Consequently, McLaren will not panic if they don’t start the year with the fastest package. Instead, they aim to establish a clear development plan and climb the field as 2026 progressed.