Stella doesn't want to rush: 'Want to be there again in 2026'

In view of the changes in engine regulations that will take effect from 2026, many teams are thinking about which engine they want to have in the car from then on. A number of teams are developing their own engines, including Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull, but there are also teams buying engines from another engine supplier. McLaren is one such team, and for now team boss Andrea Stella wants to tread carefully when it comes to decisions about the new engine era.

The new regulations will see the engine use more electricity. Sustainable fuels will also be used. With the introduction of the new regulations, a number of parties have decided to join Formula 1 (again). For instance, Audi announced that they will produce engines, and that they will also join as a factory team through the team that is currently Alfa Romeo. Two weeks ago, it was announced that Honda will also supply engines in Formula 1 again, namely to Aston Martin.

It is still unclear what McLaren will do: will the team continue to run with Mercedes engines, or will they take a different route? For now, Stella believes his team should above all not make any rash decisions, he told RaceFans.net, among others: “In 2026 we want to be there. We don’t want to be saying like ‘okay, now we need two years because the project is too immature’. We want to be there from a chassis point of view, and kind of sound from a power unit point of view, even if I had to choice to choose, I would always choose to be a works team. But I don’t think this is a fundamental differentiator to be able to win.”