As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches, early indications from pre-season testing in Bahrain suggest Ferrari and Mercedes have established themselves as the teams to beat. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella acknowledges this, stating the two manufacturers demonstrated a performance advantage during the final test at the Bahrain International Circuit, though he believes his team remains within striking distance.
The assessment comes after a cautious approach from McLaren following the initial test on the Sakhir track, where Stella emphasized that testing times don’t always provide a complete picture of competitive order. However, the second and final Bahrain test offered a clearer signal heading into the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for March 6-8.
“If I look at what we were able to learn about the system of values, I would say that these days have confirmed Ferrari and Mercedes as role models to follow,” Stella explained. “Given that both gave the impression of having a little more than the others, although I think McLaren are very close and the fact that they are in the top four is an encouraging sign, although you have to recognize that these two teams seem to have a small advantage at the moment.”
McLaren, the 2024 and 2025 Constructors’ Champions, according to Wikipedia, is focusing on internal improvements and data analysis with their MCL40 chassis. The team prioritized verifying the robustness of the car and understanding its behavior under various conditions during the testing phase.
Positive Testing Session for McLaren
Stella described the second test session in Bahrain as “positive,” highlighting the car’s reliability and the team’s ability to complete their planned program. “I see this second series of tests as positive, especially here in Bahrain, as the car has proven to be reliable and we have been able to complete the planned program almost completely in terms of functionality, reliability and performance evaluation,” he said. “This has allowed us to cover many kilometers and collect useful information, so today we can say that we have a fairly clear understanding of the car’s potential and have exploited a large part of it, knowing full well that each employ on the track brings modern aspects to analyze.”
The team concentrated on refining various aspects of the MCL40, including tuning, aerodynamic efficiency and tire management, while also optimizing the Mercedes power unit – a crucial element for maximizing overall performance. According to Formula1.com, Stella cautioned against reading too much into testing results, but the Bahrain test reinforced his initial assessment.
Pecking Order Remains Unclear
Despite the positive outlook, Stella acknowledges the difficulty in definitively establishing the competitive hierarchy. Sky Sports reports Stella believes Ferrari and Mercedes hold “a step ahead” going into the Australian Grand Prix. He pointed to a race simulation during testing where Oscar Piastri’s pace was comparable to Max Verstappen’s, but stressed the importance of considering the time of day and track conditions when interpreting such data.
“Often, the race simulation is actually where you can more accurately see what the genuine performance of cars is,” Stella explained.
The McLaren team, led by Team Principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown, will be looking to build on their recent success – having won the 2024 and 2025 Constructors’ Championships – and challenge Ferrari and Mercedes for the title in the upcoming season. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be driving for McLaren in 2026, with Leonardo Fornaroli and Pato O’Ward serving as test drivers, as detailed on the McLaren website.
With the first race of the season fast approaching, teams will be analyzing the data collected during testing to fine-tune their cars and prepare for the challenges ahead. The Australian Grand Prix will provide the first real indication of the competitive landscape and the potential for a thrilling championship battle.
What developments will emerge as teams analyze the data from Bahrain? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion.
