Andrea Stella, McLaren’s Team Principal, shared his thoughts on the team’s performance at the 2026 United States Grand Prix, reflecting on their race pace despite missing out on a podium finish. The race highlighted McLaren’s ability to compete closely with leading teams like Ferrari and Red Bull, even if qualifying did not fully reflect their race-day potential.
At the Circuit of the Americas, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri started from seventh and eighth on the grid. Norris briefly ran as high as second place during the race, benefiting from a one-stop strategy. However, he eventually finished fifth after being overtaken by Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton. Piastri secured seventh place, successfully holding off George Russell in the closing stages.
Stella noted that while McLaren’s qualifying pace fell short of their rivals, the race pace was competitive with the top teams. The one-stop strategy gave Norris an opportunity to gain positions, but the absence of safety car periods limited its effectiveness. Despite not reaching the podium in the last four races following his two summer victories, Norris demonstrated strong racecraft and pace throughout the weekend.
Looking ahead, McLaren plans to introduce upgrades at the Brazilian and Las Vegas Grands Prix aimed at enhancing their competitiveness. These developments are intended to help the team consistently challenge for podium finishes and potentially race wins. Stella acknowledged the challenge of extracting the car’s full potential in qualifying compared to race conditions, suggesting that the team’s focus remains on improving both aspects.
The United States Grand Prix underlined McLaren’s position as a strong contender in race conditions, even if qualifying remains an area for improvement. With strategic choices and ongoing development, the team is working to close the gap to Ferrari and Red Bull during qualifying sessions, while maintaining solid race pace.
Stella’s reflections provide insight into McLaren’s current performance level and the team’s approach to upcoming races. The focus on upgrades and race strategy highlights their intent to build on recent progress and secure more consistent results in the competitive environment of Formula 1®.