No Backing Down: McLaren ‘Definitely Wants to Defend’ Its World Title, Says Stella

McLaren entered the 2026 season as reigning Constructors’ champions, only for reliability setbacks, inconsistent pace and a disastrous double non-start in China to raise doubts. But a breakthrough in Miami — Lando Norris winning the Sprint, followed by a double podium with Oscar Piastri — has restored belief. Team principal Andrea Stella makes clear: the title defence is far from over.

Why it matters:

McLaren's early-season struggles threatened to derail their championship hopes before they truly began. Yet a strong result in Miami proves the potential is still there. With the upgraded MCL40 showing consistency, Stella is refusing to back down from the team's biggest ambition — retaining the crown.

The details:

• McLaren sit third in the Constructors’ standings on 94 points, with Norris fourth and Piastri sixth in the Drivers’ Championship — not ideal for a reigning champion, but not a disaster either.
• Miami turnaround: The upgraded MCL40 finally delivered. Norris stormed to Sprint victory, and both drivers reached the podium on Sunday. Stella cautioned that Miami has traditionally suited McLaren, but the performance boost is undeniable.
• Stella on the fight: “We have said already before Miami that the championship is not a sign-off. … Definitely we want to defend the championship.” He emphasised the need to stay focused on the present while keeping the long-term goal in sight.
• Driver strength: Stella praised Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli for his explosive consistency but believes McLaren has the strongest driver pairing in the field. He pointed to Piastri’s podium in Japan with an underperforming car and Norris’s Miami sprint win as evidence.

What's next:

McLaren believe development can now shift momentum. The car still needs to be faster, but the foundations remain solid. With Stella’s determined message and a driver lineup that he rates as the best on the grid, the team aims to prove Miami was the start of their title defence, not a brief reprieve.