After ending a 17-year wait for a drivers’ championship, McLaren is brimming with confidence. Yet questions remain as the team looks toward the 2026 season: can Woking establish a dominant technical cycle spanning four years or more? While Ferrari still leads with 16 constructors’ titles to McLaren’s 10, the drivers’ championship is within closer reach—McLaren is only two titles behind Ferrari’s 15. Recent performance trends suggest the team has the tools to make a serious push.
Dependence on Mercedes
McLaren’s fortunes are closely tied to the Mercedes power unit, which has earned widespread praise. However, predicting the hierarchy among engine manufacturers is impossible. Beyond pure performance numbers, key metrics like power, torque, efficiency, weight, and cooling requirements remain uncertain. Development paths vary widely, showing that no single approach guarantees success.
McLaren’s history as a customer team provides some optimism. Under 2024 and 2025 regulations, engine suppliers must provide identical components to customer teams, allowing Woking to compete effectively. Yet 2026 rules could shift that balance, making integration between chassis and power unit even more critical. Mercedes benefits from designing engine and car in parallel, whereas McLaren must adapt to the Brixworth engine, which could limit freedom compared to the works team.
A record-breaking rise in a short time
McLaren has built a strong organizational foundation. Since 2019, the team showed aggressive development strategies, including mid-season suspension changes. By 2020, Woking had adapted the MCL35 to a narrow-nose philosophy, freeing winter tokens to modify the chassis for the Mercedes power unit.
The first ground-effect era brought challenges, including severe brake issues and limitations in the initial design. By early 2023, strategic updates at Baku led to a breakthrough concept. In just two years, McLaren reshaped its car philosophy, improving performance in medium-to-slow corners, historically a weak point.
Even after winning the constructors’ championship in 2024, McLaren overhauled the car for the new season, innovating core elements like steering and front suspension. These changes reflect a confident, aggressive approach supported by advanced tools and a highly skilled workforce.
Strong foundations
McLaren’s methodology inspires confidence. Despite technical challenges during the ground-effect era, updates consistently delivered results. The team demonstrates deep expertise in aerodynamics, tire management, and simulation techniques. Investment in infrastructure, including a new wind tunnel opened in October 2023, allows for precise analysis of slow corners and full control over testing without relying on external facilities.
The team has also attracted top talent. Rob Marshall, key to Red Bull’s past successes and an Adrian Newey collaborator, significantly contributed to the MCL39 architecture. Alongside Neil Houldey, Mark Ingham, Mark Temple, Peter Prodromou, and Giuseppe Pesce, McLaren’s technical department is regarded by Andrea Stella as one of the strongest he’s worked with in 26 years of Formula 1.
The legacy of the MCL39
Creating the best car of 2025 doesn’t guarantee future success. The 2026 regulations present new challenges, particularly for the electrified hybrid system, which will be three times more powerful and dissipate nine times the heat of previous units. Innovations from the MCL39, like compact power steering and efficient cooling solutions, provide a foundation for the next generation.
Risks remain. Misjudging the technical concept or navigating the limitations of being a Mercedes customer could hinder progress. Still, McLaren’s ambition to match—or even surpass—Ferrari’s drivers’ championship record reflects a confident, capable team ready to define the next era of Formula 1 dominance.
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