McLaren’s performance plunge flashed after the 2026 Bahrain GP moved to Sepang, as team principal Andrea Stella pointed to the abrasive circuit that upset the team’s data landscape.
Stella denies a fault in the car
In a media briefing, Stella conceded the team was unprepared for rivals’ aggressive upgrades but insisted McLaren’s car was operating normally. “We see no anomalies in our data,” he said, highlighting that competitors may have taken bigger development steps.
Ferrari’s sudden leap grabs attention
Stella also praised Ferrari’s line‑up, citing Lewis Hamilton’s impressive climb from Lando Norris’s position during the race. “Hamilton wasn’t just chasing; he overtook multiple cars,” Stella remarked, calling the Ferrari performance a “very, very strong” example of the season’s pace.
Caution over Sepang as a true test
Stella warned Sepang’s unusual track conditions could mask a car’s genuine form, labeling the Bahrain outing a potential statistical outlier. “It’s a special condition here,” he said, adding that the data might not reflect typical track dynamics.
Singapore to lock the 2026 hierarchy
The team is eyeing the Marina Bay Street Circuit next, believing the tighter corners will expose the true competitiveness of McLaren’s package. Stella admitted uncertainty about Singapore’s suitability but highlighted the need for clearer upgrade validation.
With a few more refinements on the horizon, McLaren’s hope is to let Singapore’s lap times confirm that Lando Norris can finally challenge for the front of the grid.
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