McLaren's Stella: Ferrari, Mercedes Lead After Bahrain Test
McLaren boss Andrea Stella identifies Ferrari and Mercedes as the early pace-setters after F1's 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, though he believes his team is close behind. Stella noted McLaren's long-run pace appeared comparable to Red Bull's, hinting at a potential four-team fight at the front when the season begins.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella believes Ferrari and Mercedes have shown a slight performance edge after pre-season testing in Bahrain, placing them as the early "teams to beat" for the 2026 Formula 1 season. While confident McLaren is part of the top-four group and close behind, Stella noted his team's race simulation pace appeared very similar to that of reigning champions Red Bull.
Why it matters:
Stella's assessment provides the first clear indication from a top team principal of a potential shift at the front of the grid. After years of Red Bull dominance, the suggestion that Ferrari and Mercedes might have found an early advantage sets a compelling narrative for the season opener in Melbourne and signals a potentially much tighter championship battle.
The details:
- Stella reported a "positive" test for McLaren, with the new MCL40 proving reliable and allowing the team to complete its planned program, understand the car's potential, and add performance through setup and optimization work each day.
- The key takeaway for Stella was that the data confirmed Ferrari and Mercedes looked to have "a little bit of an advantage," though he emphasized McLaren is "not far" behind.
- When comparing to Red Bull, Stella pointed to similar race simulation times between Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen as evidence that McLaren and Red Bull are "probably very similar" in pace.
- He cautioned that accurately reading performance from testing is difficult due to varying track conditions throughout the day, which can significantly affect lap times.
What's next:
The true competitive order will be revealed at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Stella's comments raise the stakes for the first race, positioning Ferrari and Mercedes as the hunted and setting up a fascinating four-way fight at the top between them, McLaren, and Red Bull. All eyes will be on whether the testing form translates into a genuine change in the pecking order.