McLaren launched their 2026 challenger, the MCL40, with a livestream event from Bahrain, during which McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown weighed in on the new era of F1.
The Italian discussed his excitement for the new regulations. All teams face a huge task due to the scale of them.
“I look forward to a very exciting new era for Formula One. There will be a lot to discover, a lot to understand. It will be so for the teams, for the drivers and for the fans as well. So, definitely for all the fans, I think a season ahead to stay tuned.”
Brown raves about McLaren’s MCL40
Brown added his own excitement at what is to come.
”I think it’s going to be amazing. We’ve never seen these types of technologies deployed in any form of motorsport. And there’s a lot of change.
“2026 marks the beginning of the new set of regulations for Formula 1. With that, Brown said, “There’s not a wheel that has been carried over from 2025 to 2026.
“So, as Andrea said, we as the team need to understand how to maximise the car, as will the drivers. And then I think it’s going to be a development race.”
McLaren starts the 2026 F1 season as the current reigning world Constructors’ Champions. They also have Lando Norris, the reigning World Drivers’ Champion. He is joined once again by Oscar Piastri who narrowly missed out on the title himself.
“But you talk about one of our secret sauce, our driver lineup. I wouldn’t bet against either of them. 14 wins last year, seven each. What an awesome pairing we have. And excited to go racing with both of them again this year.”
On making sure McLaren keeps being innovative with the MCL40, Brown outlined the challenge ahead of them and all F1 teams.
“I think that’s what Formula 1 has always been about. So, I think that’s what makes it so exciting when you get into car launches and new eras. And as Andrea said, we need to learn a lot, so will the fans.
“But I think that’s exciting to understand because these cars are unbelievably sophisticated. And all the men and women that are designing, building, working these cars, it’s fascinating. So, I think we’re just scratching the surface. It’s early days.”
