Andrea Stella casts verdict on McLaren team prospect for 2026

The 54-year-old expressed confidence in the Woking-based team’s technical capabilities, stressing their ability to deliver a title-winning car, as they have over the last two seasons.

“Today's results are the result of the work of the entire team. I am confident in the technical quality of our racing department—the same group that built a car capable of winning the Constructors' title for two consecutive years,” Stella said via Motorsports Italia.

The 2026 F1 season will bring sweeping changes to the sport. The new regulations will feature updates spanning engines, chassis, and aerodynamics.

McLaren, meanwhile, have recorded massive success in recent years, including claiming the last two Constructors’ Championships, alongside the 2025 Drivers’ title with Lando Norris.

Stella also pointed to a crucial moment that aided Norris in beating Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship.

The British driver won the 2025 crown in the final race, finishing two points ahead of his Dutch counterpart. Stella highlighted the battle between the pair at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix as pivotal to Norris’ 2025 title success.

The McLaren team principal also praised the 25-year-old for his growth, both on a personal level and as a racing driver, since that breakthrough season.

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