MOTORSPORT – Mclaren superstars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will need to be at the top of their game now more than ever as they aim for a third successive Formula One constructors’ world championship in F1’s new season which is fast approaching.
Following the completion of six days of running in F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2026 at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said that F1’s drivers have a more challenging role this upcoming campaign, with the biggest rule changes in the history of the top flight coming into effect.
“One area that continues to be highlighted is that the driver’s role this season under the new regulation is even more challenging, and we’re committed to giving Lando and Oscar the tools to extract the maximum performance,” said Stella at the end of the tests in the kingdom.
“We acknowledge that they will be busier managing the power unit without compromising lap time or race craft, and we’ll continue to work to build further understanding and tools for the management of engine control and exploitation, who have done a good job so far.“
The 2026 F1 power unit is a 1.6-litre V6 hybrid with a 50-50 power split between internal combustion and electrical energy.
These F1 cars can harvest energy to charge their battery, which drivers can then use for a ‘boost’ in an attempt to overtake another car or defend their position during racing.
This year’s FIA F1 World Championship flags off in Melbourne, Australia in two weeks’ time, and Stella is upbeat after what McLaren have accomplished during their all-important sessions in Sakhir.
“We’re encouraged by the MCL40’s reliability and the extensiveness of learning we have achieved with every lap completed,” said Stella of the Bahrain-owned team’s all-new, completely redesigned car.
“We have successfully signed off our test items and the core functionality and reliability of the car while enabling long runs and systematic familiarisation of set-up, aerodynamics, and tyres, as well as power unit maximisation.
“Each day we have been able to add more performance, which is pleasing to see, and we now have a clear handle on the car’s potential as we enter the new era of F1.”
Stella added that plenty of work still needs to be done at the McLaren headquarters in Woking, England, as the days count down to the start of racing in Melbourne from March 6 to 8.
“The nine days of pre-season on track in Barcelona and Bahrain has validated our programme and highlighted clear priority areas of learning and development,” Stella explained.
“We will, therefore, collaboratively work through these with the team in Woking to continue our preparation for the first race weekend of the season.”
“There’s more to learn, and we’ll keep developing as the season goes on to enhance our competitiveness.
“We now go racing.”
Meanwhile, Norris and Piastri expressed their excitement to get the battles underway in Australia.
They combined for more than 4,000km of running during the Bahrain testing – adding to another 1,355km during a previous three-day test in Barcelona, Spain, held last month as part of the F1 teams’ ‘shakedown’ of their 2026 contenders.
“Overall, it’s been a solid nine days of testing, and we have learned a lot about these new regulations of cars and how to extract performance from them, especially around the new power units,” said Norris, the reigning F1 drivers’ world champion, who added: “I am excited to get racing.”
Piastri commented: “Lots and lots learned about these new cars, so feeling in a good place ahead of going to Melbourne.
“There is still lots to unlock as we go through the first free practice sessions ahead of lights out, but we’ve worked through our testing plans well and made good progress across the board.
“Next up, Melbourne, my home race. It’s always great to be there on home soil, so I am excited to get back out on track and to race the MCL40.”
Following Melbourne, the F1 world championship will continue with grands prix in China and Japan before heading to the kingdom for the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 – the fourth round of the 24-race world championship, scheduled for April 10 to 12 at BIC.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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