McLaren’s Andrea Stella: “2025 Was Half Boring, But 2026 Will Be a Development Battle!”
In a striking revelation at the prestigious Golden Helmets event, Andrea Stella, the team principal of McLaren, spoke candidly about the highs and lows of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite securing a stunning “double” victory with both the Constructors’ Championship and the Drivers’ Championship clinched by Lando Norris, Stella admitted, “A year ago, I said we were working to make 2025 boring; it was boring halfway through.”
Stella’s remarks came as no surprise to fans and pundits alike, as McLaren has shown remarkable growth this past season. Norris, now a world champion, is deemed “deserving” of his title, having proven his mettle on the track. Yet, the McLaren chief did not shy away from acknowledging the team’s missteps. “He could have won earlier, but we let him down due to our mistakes,” he confessed, referencing critical errors during the Las Vegas and Qatar races that led to disqualification and strategic blunders. These slip-ups serve as a stark reminder that, despite their success, the team has room for improvement.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Stella painted a picture of cautious optimism. “The development gradient and potential are very encouraging, but we must be mindful of where our competitors stand,” he asserted. The upcoming season is set to bring unprecedented changes to Formula 1, with entirely new tires, vehicles, and engines on the horizon. This shake-up means that teams will need to tread carefully as they brace for what Stella predicts will be a fierce battle of developments in 2026 and beyond.
Fans can expect an electrifying season ahead, filled with fierce competition as McLaren and its rivals race to adapt. The stakes have never been higher, and with Stella at the helm, the team is ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. Will McLaren maintain its championship status, or will the competition catch them off guard? One thing is for sure: the battle for supremacy in Formula 1 is just heating up!









