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McLaren Targets Miami, Canada Wins, Still 89 Points Back

4/24/2026

25 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

McLaren Targets Wins

McLaren expects the MCL40 to be competitive at Miami and Canada.
Technical director James Stella said a calendar change allowed upgrade focus.
Stella noted McLaren sits third in the Championship, 89 points behind Mercedes.
He said collaboration with Honda Performance Power and simulation tools closed the early-season gap.
He added the team now has tools to maximize the 2026 power unit and is optimistic for Miami, Canada and after Japan.

Summary

McLaren Cuts Wind-Tunnel

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix moved the Miami Grand Prix to the fourth race of the 2026 season, not the planned sixth.
McLaren’s wind-tunnel and CFD resources are allocated by a formula based on the team’s previous-season finish.
Chief designer Rob Marshall said the reduced wind-tunnel and CFD capacity forces the team to focus on developments that work rather than “nice-to-have” concepts.

Summary

Stella Rejects Ferrari

Andrea Stella dismissed rumours of moving to Ferrari as team principal in 2028.
The speculation emerged after Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase left, prompting media links.
Stella likened the gossip to spoiling a dessert and said McLaren can spot real offers.
He said the “silly season” began early but he remains unfazed.
The interview was posted on McLaren’s website and later discussed on the GPblog.com podcast.

Summary

McLaren Faces Test

McLaren won consecutive Miami Grand Prix races in 2024 with Lando Norris and in 2025 with Oscar Piastri.
Stella noted a tough 2022 season followed by a 2023 mid-season turnaround that revived the team.
He said the 2026 regulation overhaul tests McLaren’s ability to generate new know-how and prove maturity.
He added that mixed early-season results make the upcoming performance test more probing for the squad.

History

Historical Context

The 2026 Formula One season introduces significant regulation changes aimed at enhancing competition and sustainability, echoing the 2014 overhaul that led to Mercedes' dominance with a 33% Constructors' Championship share. As teams like McLaren adapt to new power unit configurations and active aerodynamics, the evolution of F1 underscores the critical role of innovation in maintaining competitive balance within the sport.

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McLaren Targets Wins

McLaren expects the MCL40 to be competitive at Miami and Canada.
Technical director James Stella said a calendar change allowed upgrade focus.
Stella noted McLaren sits third in the Championship, 89 points behind Mercedes.
He said collaboration with Honda Performance Power and simulation tools closed the early-season gap.
He added the team now has tools to maximize the 2026 power unit and is optimistic for Miami, Canada and after Japan.

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