McLaren insists title defense still on track despite slow start

McLaren are adamant they remain in the championship fight after a difficult start to 2026, though team principal Andrea Stella is urging caution about looking too far ahead. The reigning champions arrived in Florida under pressure following a double non-start in China and an early pace deficit to Mercedes, but their first major upgrade package delivered clear improvement—Lando Norris won the sprint and the pair secured second and third in the grand prix.

Why it matters:

After dominating the past two seasons, McLaren risk falling behind in the new regulation cycle. A slow start and Mercedes' early dominance (Kimi Antonelli with three wins, George Russell with one) have created a sizable points gap. However, strong progress in Miami and a driver line-up widely considered the grid's strongest offer hope that the title defense is still realistic.

The details:

• McLaren is third in the constructors' standings on 94 points, 16 behind Ferrari and 86 adrift of Mercedes.
• Upgrade impact: Norris's sprint win and Oscar Piastri's podium in the grand prix demonstrate the step forward, though Stella warns Miami may suit McLaren's car characteristics.
• Driver strength: Stella highlighted that Piastri fought for victory in Japan with a less competitive car, and that the pairing is a key asset for the constructors' championship.
• Technical development: McLaren is evaluating the rotating rear wing concept (dubbed 'Macarena' wing) recently introduced by Ferrari and Red Bull. CEO Zak Brown confirmed they find it beneficial and may adopt it on the MCL40.
• Field convergence: Brown noted that lap times are tightening across the top four teams, predicting a return to a highly competitive grid soon.

What's next:

Further upgrades are on the horizon as McLaren works to close the gap to Mercedes. Stella emphasized that the team's long-term focus remains on defending both titles, but immediate priority is extracting more performance from the car. If the Miami form can be replicated at other tracks, McLaren could mount a serious challenge over the remaining 20 races.