McLaren sees major gains from mastering 2026 power unit and active aero

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says the team's Barcelona shakedown for its new MCL40 confirmed that the car's biggest performance leaps will come from learning to fully exploit the new 2026 power unit and active aerodynamics. After 291 laps with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the team has established a strong baseline but faces a steep learning curve to unlock the car's full potential.

Why it matters:

The 2026 regulations represent a complete reset, introducing new power units and active aero systems that teams must master from scratch. McLaren's early focus on understanding these core systems, rather than just the chassis, signals a strategic approach to development that could define the competitive order in the opening phase of the new era.

The details:

• Team principal Andrea Stella stated the three-day Barcelona test was "very useful" for collecting real-track data that aligned with pre-test simulations, a positive sign after previous correlation issues in the ground-effect era.
• Stella emphasized the "very steep" learning curve for both drivers and engineers, noting that "every lap teaches you something useful in terms of performance."
• The primary areas identified for major improvement are the exploitation of the new power unit and its associated driver-controlled modes, and the management of the variable aerodynamic configuration (shifting between Corner and Straight Mode).
• Stella contrasted the 2026 launch with the 2022 ground-effect introduction, noting the current change is more profound as the power unit and tires are also new, whereas in 2022, those elements were carried over.

What's next:

McLaren now enters a critical phase of development based on its shakedown data. The immediate task is to improve the overall performance package for the start of the season, while simultaneously using the track learnings to steer the in-season development direction of the MCL40. The team that best and fastest understands this new regulatory "toolbox" will likely gain an early advantage.