McLaren emerged as the benchmark for reliability during the two weeks of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The Woking-based team was the only outfit to surpass the 800-lap mark, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completing a combined total of 817 laps — approximately 4,422 kilometers of running. The foundations of the MCL40 appear strong, providing an excellent starting point for the 2026 campaign.
It is also worth remembering that McLaren continues to be powered by Mercedes in 2026, a factor that represents another significant advantage for the papaya squad. The power unit designed in Brixworth currently looks like the strongest package in the field. Only when the championship reaches Melbourne will we gain a clearer picture of the true output of the Mercedes engine — and consequently the real potential of all its customer teams, including McLaren — especially given the uncertainty surrounding engine modes used during testing.
That said, the overall feeling within the team is positive. Oscar Piastri shared his thoughts on the work carried out over the past two weeks at the Sakhir circuit.
“Testing complete. Three very productive days this week in Bahrain and nine test days overall before the start of the season. I’ve learned a huge amount about these new cars, so I feel ready for Melbourne. There’s still a lot to discover in the first free practice sessions before lights out, but we’ve worked well on our test plans and made good progress on all fronts. Thanks to everyone in the team for getting us to this point, it’s been a big effort. Next stop, Melbourne, my home race. It’s always great to be there at home, so I can’t wait to get back on track and race the MCL40.”
The Australian driver remained composed in his post-test analysis and, as expected, did not reveal any details about the potential performance level McLaren might display in Australia.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris echoed similar sentiments, fully focused on defending his title in 2026.
“A good final day in Bahrain. We had a small issue with the car’s chassis around lunchtime, which caused a delay in our afternoon running. As a result, we weren’t able to complete the race simulation we had planned, but we still managed to get valuable track time, especially towards the end of the session. Overall, it’s been nine solid days of testing and we’ve learned a lot about these new regulations for the cars and how to exploit them, particularly regarding the new power units. A huge thanks to the team for all the work done to get us fully prepared for Australia. I can’t wait to go racing.”
The MCL40 did encounter a minor issue during the final test session, but it did not significantly disrupt McLaren’s overall program. The only other setback came on Day 2 of the Barcelona shakedown; from that point onward, however, the papaya team showed a steep and rapid development curve.
Andrea Stella: “Encouraged by reliability and clear about our potential”
Team Principal Andrea Stella also shared his assessment at the end of the pre-season tour.
“After concluding pre-season testing in Bahrain, we are encouraged by the reliability of the MCL40 and the breadth of learning we achieved with every lap completed. We successfully validated our test items and key car functions, as well as reliability, while enabling long runs and a systematic familiarization with setup, aerodynamics and tires, in addition to maximizing the power unit. Each day we were able to add further performance, which is pleasing to see, and we now have a clear understanding of the car’s potential as we enter the new era of Formula 1.”
Stella also highlighted a crucial factor that will be decisive under the new regulations: the increasingly demanding role of the drivers.
“One aspect that continues to stand out is that the driver’s role this season, with the new regulations, is even more demanding, and we are committed to providing Lando and Oscar with the tools to extract maximum performance. We know they will be more engaged in managing the power unit without compromising lap time or race craft, and we will continue to work closely with HPP to gain further knowledge and tools for engine control and usage management, which has done an excellent job so far.”
Finally, the Italian Team Principal made sure to thank everyone involved in the project.
“The nine pre-season days on track in Barcelona and Bahrain validated our program and highlighted clear priority areas for learning and development. We will now work in collaboration with the team in Woking to continue preparations for the first race weekend of the season. There is still a lot to learn and we will continue developing throughout the season to improve our competitiveness. Thanks to everyone at McLaren Mastercard for the great work done so far. Now, it’s time to go racing.”
With exceptional reliability, steady performance gains and a proven Mercedes power unit, McLaren head to the Australian Grand Prix with confidence. The true competitive order will only be revealed when the lights go out in Melbourne, but the signs from Bahrain suggest that the MCL40 could once again be a major contender in the fight at the front of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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