McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes Ferrari and Mercedes hold a distinct advantage over his side heading into the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
The Woking-based outfit concluded their final pre-season preparations last week ahead of the start of the 2026 campaign.
While the British team successfully completed their testing programme, Stella suggests they are currently trailing their main rivals.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets on the final day, finishing over eight-tenths of a second clear of Lando Norris.
‘A step ahead’
Analyzing the data from Bahrain, the McLaren boss remains cautious about the true hierarchy of the grid.
He pointed to specific race simulations as the key indicator of genuine performance relative to the competition.
“I think McLaren and Red Bull are probably very similar,” Stella said.
“Ferrari and Mercedes are a step ahead.”
Comparing his drivers against the reigning world champions, Stella noted a parity in pace during long runs.
“There is a race simulation that I think was on Thursday between Oscar [Piastri] and [Max] Verstappen,” he explained.
“It happened at a similar time of the day, and it was a similar pace.”
Adapting to 2026 regulations
The upcoming season introduces significant changes to power unit regulations, placing a greater emphasis on electrical energy deployment.
Red Bull appeared particularly strong in this area during testing, showing superior efficiency in energy harvesting.
However, Stella warns that the unique characteristics of Melbourne’s Albert Park could shake up the competitive order seen in the Middle East.
Bahrain features heavy braking zones that aid energy recovery, whereas Australia poses a different challenge for the new power units.
“I think in 2026 we will have to look at the characteristics of the circuits,” Stella added.
“Including this feature related to how easy it is as a circuit for the power unit requirement.”
Tyler Reddick recovered from a late crash to win in double overtime at Echo Park Speedway, becoming the first driver in 17 years to sweep the opening two races of the NASCAR Cup Series season.
Fresh from his Daytona 500 triumph, the 23XI Racing driver delivered a second consecutive victory for co-owner Michael Jordan by outdueling Chase Briscoe and Ross Chastain.
The event on the 1.54-mile oval in Hampton, Georgia, featured a record-breaking 57 lead changes and a chaotic finish.
Jordan praises team effort
“Tyler did an unbelievable job,” said NBA legend Jordan, who watched his team dominate the early proceedings of the 2026 campaign.
“I feel bad for Bubba [Wallace] because he had an unbelievable day. But Tyler drove his ass off. I’m very happy for Tyler, very happy for 23XI.”
Teammate Wallace had led entering the final restart but was shuffled back to eighth place during the frenetic closing stages.
History makers rebound from damage
Reddick’s 10th career victory in the premier series came despite significant front-end damage to his No. 45 Toyota following a nine-car pile-up on lap 224.
By securing the win, the Cup Series leader became the first driver since Matt Kenseth in 2009 to open a season with back-to-back victories.
Austin Cindric had earlier won the first stage, which ran entirely under green-flag conditions for the second year running.
Busch frustration boils over
The clean opening segment gave way to a chaotic middle stage, with defending champion Kyle Larson eliminated after hitting the wall.
Tempers flared elsewhere as Kyle Busch expressed his anger at Noah Gragson following a collision on the 125th lap.
“He didn’t give me an opportunity to make sure I was straight before hitting me or get into me gently to try and get the momentum back,” Busch said after finishing 33rd.
“He just drove right through me.”
The series now moves to the Circuit of the Americas on 1 March for the first road course event of the season.
Mercedes have emerged as the early favourites for the 2026 Formula 1 title after data analysis from preseason testing suggested they are masking their true performance.
The paddock has now cleared the Bahrain International Circuit, with attention turning to the season opener in Melbourne on 5 March.
While Ferrari topped the headline timesheets during the three-day event, a deeper dive into the telemetry suggests the Brackley-based team holds a distinct advantage.
Silver Arrows masking true pace
Rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli set the German manufacturer’s fastest time of the week, clocking a 1:32.803.
Although this was roughly 0.8 seconds slower than Charles Leclerc’s benchmark for Ferrari, the context of the laps paints a different picture.
Leclerc benefited from optimal evening track conditions and a softer compound of tyre during his flying run.
Furthermore, telemetry analysis indicates Mercedes were likely running conservative engine modes to disguise their full potential.
George Russell was recorded at 8kph slower than the Ferrari on the main straight, sacrificing two-tenths of a second before the first corner alone.
Comparison with the Mercedes-powered McLaren suggests the factory team were lifting and coasting into corners significantly more than their rivals.
Long-run data reveals advantage
The most telling data regarding the 2026 hierarchy comes from race simulation runs rather than single-lap glory runs.
Mercedes drivers consistently lapped in the low 1:36s and high 1:35s during longer stints on track.
In contrast, the Scuderia’s best average times hovered in the mid-1:36 bracket.
This discrepancy has led rival teams to believe the former champions have been deliberately hiding their true form throughout the winter programme.
With the significant regulatory changes for the 2026 season, the consensus in the paddock points to a Mercedes resurgence when the lights go out in Australia.
George Russell has admitted he is concerned by Mercedes’ sluggish race starts compared to former team-mate Lewis Hamilton ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The sport has undergone a major regulation overhaul for the new campaign, introducing fresh power units and chassis designs that present a unique challenge off the grid.
While the Silver Arrows have shown impressive pace during testing in Bahrain, their lead driver believes they are currently inferior to their rivals when the lights go out.
Mercedes struggling to get off the line
The FIA has been trialling a new start procedure during the final pre-season event to give drivers time to adjust to the updated machinery.
"I think we’ve got a lot of potential beneath us," said Russell, who has been installed as the pre-season favourite for the drivers’ title.
"But to win a race, you’ve also got to get off the line quite well. And I think the two starts I’ve made this week were worse than my worst ever start in Formula 1."
Mercedes appear to be grappling with the technical nuances required to launch the 2026 cars efficiently.
Ferrari find an early advantage
In contrast, the Scuderia appear to have mastered the new launch mechanics, with the Italian team’s marquee signing demonstrating rapid acceleration during practice procedures at Sakhir.
Hamilton, now clad in Ferrari red, consistently outperformed his former colleague during the practice starts held at the end of Thursday’s sessions.
"Lewis, down in P11, got into P1," Russell observed regarding the seven-time world champion’s getaway.
"So, at this stage, I don’t think it matters how quick you are. I think that’s going to trip you up, it’s going to be that tallest hurdle."
"And that’s what we’re trying to get our heads around right now, and we’re stumbling on some at the moment."
McLaren predict early season variance
Oscar Piastri, whose McLaren is powered by the same Mercedes unit as Russell’s challenger, offered a slightly different perspective on the issue.
The Australian suggested that the opening rounds of the championship could see significant unpredictability as teams adapt to the technical demands.
"I think it’s just very random at the moment, and I think we’re all kind of learning what makes a good start, what makes a bad start," Piastri said.
"There are some pretty big pitfalls you can find if you get yourself in trouble."
The Silverstone-based team have endured a difficult start to life under the new 2026 regulations.
Aston Martin are facing a significant performance deficit ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season after Lance Stroll admitted the team is currently four seconds off the pace.
Concerns surrounding the team’s competitiveness have intensified during pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Footage emerged this week showing animated discussions between team owner Lawrence Stroll, his son Lance, and technical mastermind Adrian Newey.
The exchange has fuelled speculation that the car is struggling to adapt to the sport’s sweeping new technical regulations.
Struggles in Bahrain
The mood within the camp appears sombre following a challenging week on track.
Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished at the bottom of the timesheets during initial running, ranking 21st and 22nd respectively.
While testing times are notoriously difficult to read due to unknown fuel loads, the gap to the frontrunners appears substantial.
Lance Stroll offered a frank assessment of the AMR26’s current performance levels.
“Right now, we look like we’re four seconds off the top teams, four and a half seconds.”
“Impossible to know what fuel loads and everything people are running. But now we need to try and find four seconds of performance.”
Compounding their misery, the team’s running on Friday was severely curtailed by reliability issues.
A shortage of spare parts for their Honda power unit limited the drivers to short stints, preventing crucial data gathering.
Newey under pressure
The spotlight is firmly on Adrian Newey, who joined the team in a high-profile move from Red Bull Racing.
Regarded as the greatest designer in F1 history, the 65-year-old was tasked with turning Aston Martin into world championship contenders.
However, the team finished a distant seventh in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship and appears to be starting the new era on the back foot.
The 2026 regulations, which place a heavier emphasis on energy management and electrical power, have drawn criticism from across the paddock.
Several drivers have expressed frustration with the handling characteristics required to meet energy-saving targets.
Max Verstappen has been particularly vocal, though the reigning champion has still managed to place his car near the top of the leaderboards.
For Aston Martin, the immediate priority will be finding a solution to their pace deficit before the season opener in Melbourne on 8 March.
Ferrari have exploited a loophole in Formula 1 regulations by debuting a rotating rear wing on Lewis Hamilton’s car during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
The Italian team caught the attention of technical analysts during the second stint of running at the Sakhir circuit.
Eagle-eyed observers noticed the rear wing element on the seven-time world champion’s car flipping upside down while the vehicle was in straight-line mode.
Innovation reduces drag
This radical modification creates a larger slot gap for airflow, significantly reducing drag on the straights.
The mechanism relies on the specific wording of the rules regarding active aerodynamics.
F1 technical analyst Sam Collins noted: “Ferrari have discovered something quite clever in the regulations, it doesn’t specify the wing has to be mounted the right way up when the active aero is deployed.”
Collins explained that the Maranello-based outfit are effectively permitted to run the wing upside down when active systems are engaged.
Aerodynamic vanes spark intrigue
This is not the only area where the Prancing Horse have pushed the boundaries of the technical regulations for the upcoming season.
Engineers have also utilized a loophole allowing aerodynamic vanes to be placed within the rear tail area, provided they remain within 6cm of the axle.
By attaching the winglet to the diffuser on the upper tail, the team utilizes hot exhaust gases to generate additional downforce.
“The four top teams have gone for slightly different solutions with Ferrari pushing the development the furthest with particularly impressive detail,” said F1 TV analyst Ruth Buscombe.
Mercedes set early pace
Despite Ferrari’s technical ingenuity, Mercedes appear to be the team to beat ahead of the season opener in Melbourne on 8 March.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets in the first three-day test.
However, Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc remained in close contention, finishing third and fourth respectively.
Lewis Hamilton has offered a glimpse of his potential title credentials for the 2026 season after producing an eye-catching display during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Hamilton shines in practice start
The seven-time world champion assumed driving duties for Ferrari for the entirety of the second day of testing at the Sakhir circuit.
While lap times in testing are notoriously difficult to read, Hamilton turned heads during a practice standing start at the conclusion of the session.
Lining up on the fifth row of the grid, the 41-year-old launched his car past a field of rivals including Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson.
He accelerated away from the Racing Bulls driver immediately before overtaking Verstappen and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.
Hamilton managed to reach the first corner ahead of Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli, despite starting significantly further back.
While fuel loads and engine modes remain unknown, the aggressive launch has suggested the Scuderia may have solved the launch issues that plagued previous campaigns.
Putting 2025 struggles behind him
The encouraging performance marks a significant shift in mood following a difficult debut campaign in red for Hamilton in 2025.
The former Mercedes driver finished sixth in the drivers’ standings last year, trailing eventual champion Lando Norris by nearly 300 points.
He failed to secure a Grand Prix victory throughout the season, with his only successes coming in sprint formats in China and Miami.
However, early analysis from the paddock suggests Ferrari may have found significant performance gains over the winter break.
Sky Sports analysts have indicated that the Italian team could be leading the performance pecking order heading into the season opener.
‘Rebuilding mind and body’
Hamilton admitted he feels a renewed sense of optimism regarding the car’s handling compared to recent years.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he revealed he had spent the off-season focusing on his mental and physical preparation.
“I don’t remember the last five years, but maybe, yeah,” Hamilton said when asked if this was his most confident pre-season in recent memory.
“I always try to enter into a season with confidence, but of course, you’re faced with all sorts of different challenges along the way.”
“I’ve obviously gone through quite a bit, and for me, all of last year is behind me.”
“I spent a lot of time rebuilding over this winter, refocusing, really getting my body and mind to a much better place.”
“I genuinely feel, personally, in the best place that I’ve been in a long time, with rearranging things within my team.”
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has called for patience following strong criticism from world champions regarding the sport’s radical new regulations for the upcoming season.
The four active title holders – Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Lando Norris – have all expressed concerns about the driving characteristics of the revamped machinery.
However, the sport’s chief executive insists that reaction to the overhaul should be measured during this early phase of development.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, the former Ferrari team principal emphasised that adjustments remain an option if specific issues persist.
“We need to avoid overreaction because it’s just the beginning of a new journey, so that’s why I say we need to stay calm,” said Domenicali.
Drivers equate new era to ‘Formula E on steroids’
The sport is undergoing its most significant regulatory shift in history, featuring changes to chassis, tyres, and power units alongside the debut of carbon-neutral sustainable fuels.
Drivers have specifically targeted the new engine formula, which demands constant and substantial energy management to achieve optimum lap times.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen likened the experience to “Formula E on steroids,” suggesting the increased hybrid reliance has fundamentally altered the driving style.
Veteran driver Fernando Alonso claimed he could drive “like a chef” through high-speed corners due to the necessity of lifting off the throttle to harvest electrical energy.
Lewis Hamilton described the technical regulations as “ridiculously complex,” while Lando Norris admitted the current iteration is “certainly not the purest form of racing.”
“It’s a new concept where it has to be, of course, improved if needed,” Domenicali acknowledged.
Attracting new manufacturers remains priority
Despite the backlash from the cockpit, Domenicali highlighted that the engine regulations successfully enticed Audi and Cadillac to enter the championship while convincing Honda to remain.
The 58-year-old Italian believes the driving adjustments will soon be viewed as standard practice within the paddock.
He argues that the technical intricacies debated by drivers are internal matters that rarely concern the global fanbase of 900 million viewers.
“I am pretty confident this will evolve in a situation that, at the end of the year, no-one will remember what we are talking about today,” he added.
His primary focus remains on preserving the spectacle of overtaking and the visible challenge presented to the competitors.
Domenicali concluded that if the racing product suffers, the governing body is prepared to “intervene and restart immediately.”