McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has stated that initial concerns about the reliability of Formula 1's 2026 cars dissipated quickly during a recent shakedown in Barcelona. All teams except Williams participated in private testing from January 26 to 30, showcasing strong preparation for the new regulations. Stella praised his team's efforts in overcoming early challenges.
The Barcelona shakedown marked a crucial early step for Formula 1 teams adapting to the 2026 regulations, which introduce significant changes including new power units and increased complexity in car systems. McLaren's Andrea Stella highlighted in an interview how apprehensions, reminiscent of the hybrid era debut 12 years ago, were swiftly addressed.
"In general, I think the teams have shown a high level of preparation for the debut of the new generation of cars," Stella remarked. He noted that even teams running their power units for the first time managed substantial mileage, easing worries about engine reliability.
However, Stella acknowledged that the primary hurdles stemmed from the intricate design of the 2026 chassis. "The reliability issues that slowed down the work on the track, at least as far as we are concerned, were mainly related to the enormous complexity of the 2026 car system," he explained. McLaren's engineers responded with round-the-clock dedication, recovering most lost time and evoking the intensity of early winter tests from past eras.
Stella expressed optimism that familiarity with the cars would normalize operations moving forward. Looking ahead, McLaren plans to reveal its 2026 livery in Bahrain on February 9, followed by pre-season testing there on February 11-13 and 18-20. The season opener remains the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8.
This shakedown, excluding Williams, underscores the collaborative yet competitive push toward the new era, with no major contradictions reported across team feedback.
