McLaren become rare source of stability
Change is normal in Formula 1, but the last eighteen months have been more volatile than usual. More than ever, big changes have taken place at the established front-runners.
Red Bull are adamant that becoming an engine manufacturer does not necessarily mean they will get off to a slow start with the 2026 cars.
The Austrian team believe their 2026 power unit will be capable enough to give them a fighting chance. Aggressive recruitment of technicians from other manufacturers has partly inspired this confidence.
Still, transitioning from a customer to manufacturer team is immensely difficult. For the first time in their history, there is a big question mark surrounding Red Bull ahead of a new regulatory cycle.
Departures of senior personnel from Ferrari (including former Technical Director Enrico Cardile) and an almost completely new leadership team at Aston Martin present real uncertainty about how these new personnel have integrated
Amidst this backdrop, it is business as usual for McLaren.
The other big team with substantial continuity from 2025 to 2026, Mercedes, believe McLaren are a huge threat heading into this season.
Toto Wolff articulated this quite clearly on the Beyond The Grid Podcast:
“It starts with the enemy in the house. “McLaren has been the better team this year [in 2025] with a Mercedes power unit.
“So if the [2026] power unit would be superior, which we never feel entitled to say so, then you’ve got to beat Williams, McLaren and Alpine.
“As a matter of fact, some of them will have had more development time in the wind tunnel. Because they didn’t place very well in the constructors Championship.
“Some will have come with innovations that maybe we haven’t spotted. So you can’t take anything for granted, even if our Mercedes power unit were strongest…
“That’s why we are not being carried away by anything, any gossip that’s being discussed at the hairdresser.”
READ MORE: Vasseur outlines Ferrari’s 2026 development strategy
Main photo: Andy Hone/LAT Images (McLaren F1 Media Centre)
