Andrea Stella on the MCL40 overweight issue: “We’re working on it, it will be a constant battle”. Andrea Stella discusses the MCL40's overweight challenge.

McLaren MCL40 weight issues: Andrea Stella confirms updates for Melbourne

During his appearance on Sky Sport F1, Andrea Stella also addressed the overweight issue of the MCL40 and explained that short-term weight reduction measures are already planned: “The operations to reduce the car’s weight never end: it is a topic we are constantly working on and we will bring updates already in Melbourne,” he admitted.

The new regulations raise the bar

Starting a new season as reigning champions brings mixed emotions: the satisfaction is high, but there is little time to enjoy it. There is always work to be done to maintain – or increase – your performance level, especially after such a significant and impactful regulatory change.

“There are always two aspects to consider after being crowned champions: certainly, it is a very positive feeling, dreams come true that change your perspective and give you confidence. But the second element, which is somewhat the curse of this profession, is that you are never satisfied. You know it’s a constant battle; this year is proof of that, because with these new regulations, we are starting completely from scratch,” he concluded.

The challenge of the overweight MCL40 therefore highlights the difficulty of balancing reliability, performance, and the strict technical constraints of the 2026 Formula 1 era. As McLaren prepares for the first race, which is scheduled to take place at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, the focus remains on trimming every possible gram from the chassis to ensure they can defend their title against a revitalized field of competitors.