Andrea Stella looks ahead to 2026 with remarkable clarity. According to the McLaren team principal, the new era of Formula 1 will be decided by the ability to extract maximum performance from the power unit, variable aerodynamics and all the adjustable options directly managed by the driver. It is a landscape that remains largely unexplored, where the interpretation of the rules could ultimately make the difference.
Speaking to McLaren’s official website, Stella underlined how the 2026 regulations are still at an early stage, yet already full of areas with significant performance potential.
“Although these are still very preliminary indications, I believe that one of the areas where there is a wide margin for improvement is the exploitation of the new power unit and all the options available to the driver,” he explained.
Another front that is set to become decisive will be the management of variable aerodynamics, with the possibility of switching between different configurations depending on conditions and specific sections of the circuit.
“There is also great potential to be exploited in terms of managing the variable aerodynamic configuration, particularly with reference to the alternation between Corner mode and Straight mode,” Stella added.
According to Stella, development is only just beginning, and the regulatory context is far more complex than in the recent past.
“This generation of cars is at a very early stage of development. Four years ago, when the ground-effect cars made their debut, we were in a different situation because the power unit and the tyres were essentially unchanged from the previous year,” he said.
This perspective echoes comments made by Toto Wolff as well, who has highlighted the central role drivers will play in maximising the new dynamics of the power unit and its management systems.
Stella therefore outlines a 2026 Formula 1 that will be more technical, more complex and strongly dependent on the decisions made by the driver. The difference will not be made by aerodynamics and engines alone, but by the ability to interpret a regulatory framework rich in variables.
For McLaren — and for the entire paddock — the challenge will be to turn this complexity into performance before anyone else manages to do so.
The strategic focus within the Woking technology center remains fixed on mastering these intricate systems. The shift from passive aerodynamics to active, driver-controlled elements represents one of the biggest philosophical changes in the history of the sport. Andrea Stella’s analysis suggests that the team that provides its drivers with the most intuitive tools to manage this complexity will likely hold the upper hand when the first 2026 championship points are up for grabs.
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