P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren will not pursue major upgrades between F1 pre-season testing and the 2026 season opener, bucking a trend others have vowed to pursue
McLaren has decided not to pursue major upgrades from Formula 1 pre-season testing until the 2026 season opener in Australia, going against the strategy of other teams.
During the initial phase of the new rules era, all teams will likely undergo a steep learning curve, and many are planning to debut with a basic 2026 concept and then quickly evolve their designs for the start of the season.
Unlike Ferrari, which is focusing on significant upgrades early on, McLaren intends to delay major changes to its MCL40 until better understanding the 2026 cars’ performance.
Chief designer Rob Marshall emphasized the importance of comprehending the intricacies of the new cars before committing to massive overhauls.
McLaren’s strategy is to observe other teams’ developments before investing in modifications to avoid wasting resources in the cost-cap era.
The team aims to enter the new season with a solid understanding of their platform and avoid premature redesigns before gaining crucial insights from the first tests.
