As Formula 1 faces one of its most transformative rule changes yet in 2026, McLaren is gearing up to adapt with confidence. Team principal Andrea Stella believes that the technical innovations and design philosophies that elevated McLaren in 2025 will continue to provide a foundation for success under the new regulations. The upcoming changes are not only complex but also redefine how teams must approach car design, creating a fresh competitive environment for everyone on the grid.
Fundamental Shifts in Car Design and Technical Demands
New F1 regulations will mark a significant departure from current designs by eliminating the heavy use of ground effect aerodynamics. Instead, 2026 cars will feature a flat underfloor, which naturally reduces downforce. This modification will require teams to utilize active aerodynamic features on straights to balance the performance between the updated hybrid power units. These units will have nearly equal contributions from internal combustion engines and electric components, a major shift influencing both speed and energy management strategies.
Continuity and Innovation: Leveraging Past Expertise Amid Change
Stella emphasized that despite the radical changes, many core aspects of McLaren’s technical methodology will remain relevant as they transition.
There are fundamental elements of our technical approach that will carry over, regardless of the changes in regulations,
he remarked.
Our focus on aerodynamic efficiency, tire interaction, and effective cooling are universal tenets that will bolster our performance.
Still, the move to a clean-sheet design brings a mix of challenges and opportunities. Drawing on knowledge acquired from refining ground effect cars, McLaren aims to selectively apply lessons learned while also developing fresh solutions for the new regulation demands.
Some aspects of our acquired knowledge will be directly applicable to the new regulations, while others will require us to reinvent our strategies,
Stella explained.
Translating Previous Success into Future Innovation
The transition from ground effect to flat underfloor designs means McLaren must rethink established aerodynamic principles. Stella highlighted the complexity of this shift by noting that innovation will come from adapting core methodologies rather than simply replicating past approaches.
We have learned how to achieve aerodynamic efficiency with ground effect cars, but the next generation will demand a different kind of innovation,
he said.
Thus, while some knowledge will be lost in translation, the core methodologies that brought us success remain intact and applicable.
Outlook for McLaren and the 2026 Competitive Landscape
As the wider F1 community awaits the launch of the 2026 season, McLaren’s readiness to evolve signals a potentially strong position amid the shifting dynamics. Stella anticipates that although no team will have a clear advantage from the start, McLaren’s established capabilities will remain a valuable asset.
There’s a substantial portion of our capabilities that can be utilized moving forward, and while we may lose some ground, the playing field will likely level out as all teams adapt to the new rules,
he concluded.
The forthcoming rule changes place McLaren at a critical juncture, where historical innovation meets the necessity for fresh thinking. As the countdown progresses, the motorsport world is watching to see if McLaren can reclaim its place among Formula 1’s elite teams in this new era defined by regulation and technological transformation.