McLaren returned to Woking with encouraging signs after the race weekend at Suzuka, as the MCL40 demonstrated improved competitiveness both in qualifying pace and race conditions. Oscar Piastri secured an impressive second-place finish, confirming the team’s upward trajectory. However, despite the positive outcome, there are still clear areas that require further development. Team principal Andrea Stella offered a detailed analysis of the car’s limitations compared to key rivals such as Mercedes and Ferrari.
“I think that, first of all, without the variability introduced by the start of the grid, we would have seen a slightly more predictable race. I believe that if the Mercedes cars are leading, they simply disappear. We saw that with Kimi’s advantage after the Safety Car,” said the McLaren team principal.
Stella went on to highlight how the team managed to extract better performance from the power unit over the Suzuka weekend, which played a crucial role in closing the gap to the front-runners. “In general, compared to other races, here we managed to exploit the power unit more effectively, which allowed us to be closer in qualifying and, I think, also in the race. I believe that at Suzuka we were on par with Ferrari. However, looking at the data, it is clear that the Scuderia still retains an advantage in cornering: their car generates more grip than ours. We benefit from a very competitive engine; from this perspective, HPP [Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains] has done a really excellent job.”
No graining and chassis limitations
The absence of tire degradation also played a decisive role in McLaren’s performance. Stella explained how tire behavior had influenced previous race weekends and why Suzuka presented a different scenario. “Another factor is that here at Suzuka there was no graining. In previous races, such as Australia and the Sprint in China, we saw that when there is graining on the front tires, we seem to be slightly more susceptible to this phenomenon compared to Ferrari and Mercedes. So, it is a combination of factors that allowed us to stay competitive today.”
Looking ahead, Stella pointed to one of the MCL40’s main weaknesses that the team must address to take the next step in performance: the chassis. He underlined how track conditions at Suzuka may have masked some of the car’s deficiencies. “Here, on this type of asphalt, grip is very high. I think that is an advantage if you do not have outstanding chassis performance. As I have said, I believe Mercedes and Ferrari have better performance in this area. Overall, it is positive news, but it does not change our objective. We must improve the performance of our chassis,” he concluded.
While McLaren’s progress is evident, the analysis from Andrea Stella makes it clear that the battle with Ferrari and Mercedes remains highly competitive. Continued development in chassis performance, tire management, and aerodynamic efficiency will be essential if McLaren aims to consistently challenge at the front in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Andrea Stella’s honest evaluation highlights the fine margins that define the current F1 pecking order. McLaren’s reliance on high-grip surfaces and Mercedes’ power highlights a car that is fast but perhaps one-dimensional in its current form. As the technical updates roll out for the European season, the pressure will be on the design office to deliver a chassis that can match the elite performance of the Silver Arrows and the Prancing Horse.
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