McLaren has had a slow start to the 2026 season but had a sign of promise with Oscar Piastri’s podium at the Japanese Grand Prix.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella has provided insight into why the team’s F1 title defense began on the “dark side.” The team currently sits in third place in the constructors’ standings with 46 points, thanks in part to Oscar Piastri’s second-place finish at the Japanese GP, following three ‘Did Not Starts’ in the early races.
Issues with harnessing the full potential of the Mercedes HPP power unit and reliability challenges hampered McLaren’s performance initially. The MCL40’s design phase was influenced by the 2025 championship push, leading to a slower start compared to rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari.
Despite the setbacks, Stella highlighted McLaren’s unity, character, and progress, with the team displaying resilience akin to their 2025 championship-winning season. The recent podium at Suzuka and promising development rate indicate positive momentum, though focus remains on improving reliability and performance for the upcoming races.
