Stella: McLaren knows how to unlock MCL40’s potential

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says the MCL40 still has untapped pace and a clear upgrade plan to close the grip and power‑unit gap to Ferrari and Mercedes. After a rocky start, Oscar Piastri’s near‑win in Japan proved the car can fight at the front. Stella expects upcoming upgrades to turn flashes of speed into regular podiums.

Why it matters:

• The grip deficit keeps McLaren off podium pace; closing it is vital to challenge Ferrari and Mercedes.
• Extracting more from the Mercedes HPP power unit could shave tenths per lap, a decisive edge under the 2026 rules.

The details:

• Grip shortfall: Ferrari and Mercedes still out‑pace McLaren in corners, meaning the MCL40 isn’t fully exploiting tyre contact.
• Power‑unit learning curve: Ongoing work with Mercedes HPP to refine energy‑map strategies and improve deployment efficiency.
• Chassis & aero upgrades: New floor, barge‑board and diffuser concepts are ready for the next two races to boost aerodynamic efficiency.

What's next:

• Miami GP will debut the first aero package and a revised power‑unit map, targeting a measurable lap‑time gain.
• The pause also gives engineers breathing room to finalise HPP tools, finish upgrades and aim for a “positive trajectory” through the season.