McLaren Tread Carefully on Title Hopes Despite Miami Progress

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has warned his squad not to get carried away with title talk, despite their most competitive showing of the 2026 season in Miami. Lando Norris won the sprint and both drivers secured a double podium, but with Mercedes winning all four opening races, Stella insists the championship picture is far from clear.

Why it matters:

As defending double champions from 2025, McLaren cannot afford to lose focus. Mercedes has set a blistering pace early in the season, and any slip in concentration could widen the gap. Stella’s measured response reflects a team that knows the title fight is a marathon, not a sprint.

The Details:

• Stella emphasized that only the first four races are complete – less than 20% of the season.
• “If we now started to consider championships at the end of the season, then we need to be a bit careful,” he told RacingNews365.
• McLaren’s Miami performance was strong, but Stella pointed out that the team traditionally excels there, making it an outlier.
• The squad has scored a “good chunk of points” compared to Mercedes, even before their first major upgrade of the season.
• Development potential remains: “We know that we can further develop our car,” Stella said, reaffirming the long-term goal of defending the championship.

What's Next:

• The true test will come on tracks where McLaren typically struggles – upcoming races in Imola, Monaco, and Barcelona will reveal the car’s real potential.
• Stella’s focus is on continuous improvement: “Our logic is to look at the long term, try and defend the championship. But as soon as we say that, we come back in the present and do the right thing today.”
• If McLaren can sustain its Miami form at less favorable circuits, the title fight could genuinely open up by mid-season.