Stella believes McLaren can still overtake Mercedes despite the current gap.

      McLaren's chief Andrea Stella asserts that the reigning champions are not concerned, even though they acknowledge that Mercedes currently holds a significant advantage in the new era of Formula 1. Upon arriving at Silverstone, Lando Norris stated that McLaren is roughly "three months behind" Mercedes in terms of development related to the 2026 regulations. Stella concurs that the gap is considerable but believes it is not unbridgeable.

      "The competition for the top spots will be fierce among multiple teams," he expressed to Corriere della Sera. "It will hinge on how many effective updates are made." He referenced Red Bull's impressive performance in Austria following a major upgrade. "I’m not surprised that Red Bull is leading in Austria—just look at the new elements they introduced. We’re likely 3-4 tenths behind the leaders, the data is pretty clear, but we have a precise plan in place. I’m not worried at all; I trust our ability to respond."

      Stella added that Mercedes’ advantage is not stagnant. "If they had arrived at the last race with the same car they had in Melbourne, they wouldn’t have won," he remarked. "They continuously bring new innovations to each grand prix. It’s a contest of innovation."

      He also acknowledged the frustration of seeing McLaren's title-winning momentum disrupted by the overhaul of the 2026 regulations. "It would be easy to deny it. However, there is some frustration," he admitted. "Just as we started to see the benefits of our investments and efforts, everything changed. But we've moved past that, taking pride in the trophies displayed in our museum. It’s crucial to show that we can succeed even amidst upheaval. While staying in a comfort zone may be easy, we have a different mindset."

      Additionally, he reiterated that McLaren's position as a customer of Mercedes has presented unforeseen challenges. "For the first time, it has resulted in a disadvantage," Stella acknowledged. "We faced reliability issues, but our collaboration with the engine department is now more effective. They’ve supported us in understanding electrical usage better."