McLaren’s « Building a Plane in Flight » Strategy for 2026 Success
By pushing their design timeline to the absolute limit, McLaren believes they have accomplished a crucial first mission in entering Formula 1’s new era—though not without significant challenges.
When McLaren’s MCL40 finally rolled out of the garage on day three of the Barcelona Shakedown, it marked the culmination of one of the most compressed development cycles in the team’s modern history. Team Principal Andrea Stella doesn’t mince words about the approach: « It was a bit like building an aeroplane while in flight, but we did it. »
The 20-Month Sprint
The scale of McLaren’s challenge cannot be overstated. Beginning in Easter 2024, the team embarked on what Stella describes as « probably the biggest new car project that I have ever been part of. » The 2026 regulations represent the most comprehensive overhaul in F1 history—simultaneous changes to chassis, power units, and tires, with no carryover components from the previous generation.
« We were well aware that by pushing the design phase to the limit, we would arrive at this shakedown very tight in terms of preparation, » Stella explained. The decision to delay their track debut until day three was deliberate, sacrificing early running time to maximize design refinement.
This approach reflects hard lessons learned from 2023, when the team had to fundamentally alter the MCL60’s concept mid-season. Rather than rushing to be first on track, McLaren chose to « play the long game, » ensuring their initial specification was as competitive as possible before committing to the build.
Mission Accomplished—With Caveats
Despite fuel system issues that limited running on the first two days—particularly for Oscar Piastri—the team managed to complete 291 laps across the three-day test. Stella considers the primary objective achieved: correlation between simulation and reality.
« What we saw on the track was in line with expectations and, above all, with the simulations, » he confirmed. « Thanks to the work done on the track and at Woking, we managed to make up almost all the lost time. »
This validation was critical. As Chief Designer Rob Marshall noted, the new regulations offered less design freedom than initially anticipated. With fixed engine length, gearbox cluster positioning, and fuel volume requirements, teams faced tight packaging constraints. McLaren’s decision to exploit every available hour of design time allowed them to optimize within these narrow parameters.
The Development Race Begins
Stella has identified two critical areas where McLaren can « exploit » performance gains: the new power unit dynamics and active aerodynamic management. The removal of the MGU-H and the 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power creates a complex energy management challenge. Additionally, the alternation between Corner and Straight modes for the adjustable front and rear wings adds another layer of strategic complexity.
« We know that the MCL40 is a good starting point, » Stella stated, « but now we have to work hard to develop it. » His assessment of the competitive landscape suggests McLaren faces a « four-way battle » with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, with the Brackley squad having « definitely raised the bar. »
Looking Ahead
The team has deliberately avoided committing to an extensive pre-season upgrade plan. Instead, they will use the opening races to understand where their predictions meet reality, then direct development resources accordingly.
« In any case, what we see in the first part of the season in terms of the balance of power will almost certainly not be the same as what we see in the second part, » Stella predicted. « It’s precisely because the effects of car development in an early phase, such as the one we are experiencing now, can only be very significant. »
For a team that dominated 2025 with both championships, the reset represents both risk and opportunity. By successfully navigating their compressed development timeline, McLaren has cleared the first hurdle. But as Stella acknowledges, in a regulatory reset where « everyone is back to zero, » the race to exploit the new rules has only just begun.
Sources
- GrandPrix247: « Andrea Stella says developing McLaren’s MCL40 like building an aeroplane while flying » (February 7, 2026)
- McLaren Racing Official: « The MCL40 is here: Behind the design and what to expect from McLaren Mastercard’s 2026 challenger » (January 28, 2026)
- F1 Oversteer: « Andrea Stella sees what McLaren can ‘exploit’ to help Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in F1 2026 » (February 7, 2026)
- GPBlog: « Stella warns McLaren must out-develop rivals to compete in ‘four-way battle' » (February 7, 2026)
- Motorsport.com: « Andrea Stella: McLaren’s biggest gains will come from ‘exploiting’ the new power unit » (February 7, 2026)
- Zak Brown Letter to Fans, McLaren Racing (January 12, 2026)