McLaren admit start to 2026 Formula 1 season falls below expectations
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has admitted their start to the 2026 Formula 1 season has fallen below expectations after dropping 113 points behind Mercedes.
The Woking-based outfit have suffered a difficult opening five rounds to their constructors’ title defence.
A pointless outing for both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Canada dealt a major blow to their championship aspirations.
Mercedes currently dominate the standings, holding a 72-point advantage over Ferrari and a massive 113-point lead over the reigning champions.
Reliability woes plague title defence
Various technical and sporting issues have hampered the British team across multiple race weekends.
“The start of the season has been challenging. We have had issues of a different kind,” said Stella.
“If you think the first race, we had the issues with Oscar in the laps to the grid, then China, it was a painful one with a problem on the electrical side of the power unit.”
The Italian boss highlighted that the recent Canadian Grand Prix featured problems across all racing and reliability departments.
Despite the severe setbacks, team management noted encouraging signs regarding car development and power-unit exploitation.
Upgrades planned for Monaco return
The papaya squad had previously shown strong form by challenging for victory in Japan and Miami.
Norris successfully claimed a sprint race victory ahead of his Australian team-mate in Florida.
However, a highly anticipated new front wing was unexpectedly removed from the car following practice sessions in Montreal.
The British driver confirmed this upgraded component will return either around the streets of Monte Carlo or at the subsequent Spanish Grand Prix.
Championship fight remains alive
While acknowledging the substantial points deficit, the defending champions refuse to concede defeat to their German rivals.
“We don’t think very much of what’s been. We just try to learn every day such that, for the next race, we are as prepared as possible,” stated Stella.
“We are definitely believers that the championship is not signed off. We want to be in this championship and we want the championship to be decided in Abu Dhabi.”
The historic racing brand will now look to bounce back and repeat their 2025 Monaco triumph this coming weekend.
