The 2026 cars will differ radically from their predecessors, not only in visual terms but also in how racing itself will unfold. DRS has been scrapped in favour of a boost mode — a driver-activated system that temporarily delivers extra electrical power from the power unit to aid overtaking.

This means we could be faced with scenarios in which overtaking becomes easier than we are used to, driven by differences in battery deployment from one car to another.

Speaking to GPblog, Stella believes that “from an overall F1 point of view, it’s important that, in these scenarios where overtaking happens, it may look a little strange that one car can pass another so easily. I think it’s crucial that spectators understand why that happens — for example, that one car may have a very full battery while the car ahead has almost depleted its energy. From a racing perspective, there is a clear reason behind it.”

Boost mode will be combined with fully active aerodynamics at both the front and rear, allowing teams to reduce drag on the straights and, in turn, lower both electrical energy usage and fuel consumption.

The MCL40 will not run during the opening day of testing in Barcelona, aside from a brief shakedown similar to those carried out by several teams in recent days, Andrea Stella confirmed.

The Papaya squad’s aim is to sacrifice a full day of running in order to push development as far as possible and take to the track with the most advanced car they can, while acknowledging that the version seen in Melbourne will be very different from its early outings.