McLaren boss Andrea Stella has admitted that Mercedes has appeared to have “raised the bar” after its showing in the first Formula 1 pre-season test last week.
The German marque set an impressive string of fastest laps across the week’s running at the Circuit de-Barcelona Catalunya, and above all, clocked 502 laps via George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Controversy surrounding the team’s supposed power unit loophole has indeed generated further belief that the W17’s overall package will be the one to beat, providing that the engine will be deemed legal ahead of the opening round in Melbourne in a month’s time.
But everything is pure speculation and caveated at least until next week, when the official pre-season tests in Bahrain begin.
However, Stella has acknowledged the Mercedes package as one to watch, and reflected that the Woking-based outfit will need to get to work in order to match its projected competitiveness.
“In terms of performance, it is obviously very difficult to give an objective assessment, as we do not know the other teams’ work programmes, fuel levels or work schedules,” the Italian said.
Stella continued that other non-Mercedes-powered teams also looked strong, and indicated that Ferrari and Red Bull will also be teams to look out for.
“In addition, the environmental conditions were quite different from what we normally experience on race weekends,” he said. “That said, it is clear that there are at least three competitors – Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull – who have all got off to a good start.
“In particular, the Brackley team has definitely raised the bar, and we will have to work hard to do the same.
“The fact that the three teams I mentioned are equipped with three different power units is a first indication that there may not be extremely marked differences in terms of absolute performance, at least as far as some of the PU suppliers are concerned.”
First and second halves of 2026 season may see ‘balance of power’ shift – Stella
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has previously stated that the outcome of Round 1 in Melbourne will not guarantee a status quo for the remainder of the season, due to the likelihood of a changing landscape brought by the discovery of new ways to maximise performance as knowledge of the new rulebook grows.
Stella is keenly aware that development of cars will be crucial, as interpretations of the regulations could see teams go backwards or forwards as the season progresses, and echoed Vasseur’s assessment, concluding that the “balance of power” is likely to shift into the second half of the 24-race calendar.
“More than ever before, this year it will be the ability of the teams and drivers to exploit the package at their disposal, as well as the ability to develop the car in the right direction, that will make the difference,” he said.
“In any case, what we see in the first part of the season in terms of the balance of power will almost certainly not be the same as what we see in the second part, precisely because the effects of car development in an early phase, such as the one we are experiencing now, can only be very significant.”
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