McLaren can still catch Mercedes despite deficit - Stella

McLaren boss Andrea Stella insists the reigning champions are not worried despite admitting Mercedes currently has a clear edge in Formula 1’s new era.

The Woking team arrived at Silverstone after Lando Norris admitted McLaren is around "three months behind" Mercedes in development under the 2026 regulations.

Stella agrees the gap is significant but says it is far from insurmountable.

"The battle for the top will be intense between several teams," he told Corriere della Sera.

"It will depend on the number of effective updates."

He pointed to Red Bull’s resurgence in Austria after its major upgrade package. "I’m not surprised, for example, that Red Bull is at the top in Austria - just look at the new features they’ve brought.

"We’re probably 3-4 tenths off the top, the numbers are pretty clear, but we know exactly what to do.

"I’m not the least bit worried, I know our ability to react."

Stella also suggested Mercedes’ advantage has not stood still.

"If they had shown up at the last race with the same car they used in Melbourne, they wouldn’t have won," he said. "They bring something new to every grand prix.

"It’s a battle of innovation."

Stella also admitted there has been frustration at seeing McLaren’s title-winning momentum erased by the 2026 regulation overhaul.

"It would be easy to say no. But there is some frustration," he said.

"The moment we began to capitalise on investments and efforts, everything changed. But we stopped thinking about it a long time ago because we are proud of the trophies on display in the museum.

"It’s important to demonstrate that we can win even in a context of disruption. It’s easy to stay in the comfort zone, but we think differently."

He also reiterated that McLaren’s status as a Mercedes customer team created unexpected difficulties.

"For the first time, it has caused a disadvantage," Stella admitted.

"We had reliability issues, now we have a more effective collaboration with the engine department. They’ve helped us and we’re understanding much more about the use of electricity."