Stella: McLaren's podium a positive step, but chassis gap remains

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has tempered optimism after Oscar Piastri's podium finish at the Japanese Grand Prix, stating the team still has significant work to do to close the aerodynamic gap to rivals Mercedes and Ferrari. While Piastri's surprise lead and eventual second place marked a major step forward from the team's early-season reliability woes, Stella emphasized that the result does not change the fundamental need to improve the car's chassis performance.

Why it matters:

After a disastrous start to the 2026 season with zero race starts in China and a crash in Australia, McLaren's competitive showing in Japan is a crucial morale boost. However, Stella's immediate focus on the car's underlying weaknesses highlights that the Woking-based team views this as a circuit-specific reprieve rather than proof they have solved their core performance deficit. For a team with championship aspirations, bridging the chassis gap to the front is non-negotiable.

The details:

• Oscar Piastri capitalized on a superb start and a poor getaway from the Mercedes cars to take the lead into Turn 1, a position he held for much of the first stint.
• The race dynamic shifted after a Lap 21 safety car, which allowed Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli to pit and restart in clear air, where he demonstrated the superior pace of the W17 to win by 13.7 seconds.
• Stella admitted the team's pace was a surprise, noting they were able to pull a gap on George Russell's Mercedes at the end of the first stint.
• Aerodynamic Deficit: Despite the result, Stella is convinced both Mercedes and Ferrari have a better car. Data overlays show Ferrari retains an advantage in cornering speed due to higher grip levels.
• Power Unit Parity: McLaren's improved form is partly attributed to better understanding of the Mercedes power unit, bringing its performance closer to the works team and giving it an edge over Ferrari's engine.
• Track Specifics: Stella pointed out that the high-grip, newly repaved Suzuka surface helped mask McLaren's susceptibility to front tire graining, a weakness that has hurt them at other circuits.

What's next:

The team's intense recovery program continues unabated, with all eyes on a substantial upgrade package scheduled for the Miami Grand Prix.

• This mirrors the team's 2023 strategy, where a major Miami upgrade catapulted them into regular podium contention.
• Stella cautions that this time, all rival teams are also expected to bring significant updates, increasing the competitive pressure.
• The overarching objective remains clear: "We have to improve the performance of our chassis," Stella stated, indicating that until that happens, consistent challenges for victory will remain out of reach.