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After missing out on substantial mileage during F1 Barcelona private shakedown McLaren admits to being behind its rivals for 2026.
McLaren admits to being behind its rivals for the 2026 Formula 1 season after missing out on substantial mileage during the Barcelona private shakedown. The team enters this new era of the sport following two consecutive Constructors’ titles. McLaren managed to catch up in performance during the 2023 season and led the pack from mid-2024 onwards. With the 2026 technical overhaul underway, McLaren may find itself playing catch up once again. Despite a decent haul of mileage by Lando Norris, McLaren faced setbacks with technical issues during the pre-season testing in Barcelona. McLaren Technical Director of Performance, Mark Temple, acknowledged the high bar set by rivals and emphasized the need for more time to learn and optimize the performance of the MCL40.
