From Motorsport · · 50s
Andrea Stella hints at McLaren's true pace
McLaren's true form may emerge at Singapore GP after Sepang struggles.
In brief
McLaren's true form may emerge at Singapore GP after Sepang struggles. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says Sepang's track conditions misled recent performance data, with Singapore GP likely to reveal the true 2026 pecking order. Originally reported by Motorsport.
Stella on Sepang performance
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella refuses to panic over recent struggles as the team targets Singapore Grand Prix.
“We don't see any anomaly in our data, but we have to acknowledge that potentially some competitors have developed their car with bigger steps than we did”
Sepang track conditions
Stella says the aggressive Sepang track surface created misleading data for McLaren's performance.
“It's a very special condition here in Bahrain, so I think we'll have to understand where are the behaviour of the cars”
Ferrari's sudden pace
Stella points to Lewis Hamilton's strong recovery drive in Ferrari as proof of sudden performance gains.
“And also here Ferrari, they were very very strong”
Singapore GP as test
Stella believes Singapore Grand Prix will reveal the true 2026 pecking order after Sepang's misleading conditions.
“Singapore will give us... a better answer”
True pace to come
McLaren's Singapore GP data could help Lando Norris compete with Mercedes in the final race.
“With a few more upgrades planned for the final stretch of the season, McLaren will need that Singapore data to ensure Lando Norris can at least try to compete with Mercedes”
The takeaway
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says Sepang's track conditions misled recent performance data, with Singapore GP likely to reveal the true 2026 pecking order.
