McLaren to Delay Start of 2026 Pre-Season Testing as Development Takes Priority
McLaren have confirmed that they will not take part in the opening day of Formula One’s 2026 pre-season testing, with team principal Andrea Stella explaining that the decision is part of a calculated strategy to maximise car development ahead of the sport’s major regulation overhaul.
As the countdown to the 2026 season continues, Formula One teams are racing against time to complete their all-new machinery. The upcoming campaign represents one of the biggest technical resets in the history of the sport, prompting the FIA to allocate an extended 11 days of pre-season testing to help teams understand the radically different cars and power units.
The first phase of this testing programme is a private shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, scheduled to take place from January 26 to January 30. However, McLaren will not be present when running begins on the opening day.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Stella revealed that McLaren are planning to begin their on-track preparations on either the second or third day of the Barcelona event, rather than rushing the car onto the circuit as soon as testing opens.
“We plan to start testing either on day two or day three, so we will not be testing on day one,” Stella explained. “We wanted to give ourselves as much time as possible for development, because every day of development and every day of design was adding a small amount of performance.”
Stella acknowledged that delaying track time carries a degree of risk, as early running can provide reassurance that a new car concept is functioning as expected. However, he stressed that committing too early to a final design can also limit a team’s ultimate performance ceiling.
“If you are early on track, you gain the confidence of understanding the car sooner,” he said. “But at the same time, it means that you may have committed to the design and production of the car relatively early, which creates a compromise between early knowledge and development potential.”
McLaren’s approach highlights the difficult balancing act teams face in 2026: whether to prioritise early data collection or continue refining designs for as long as possible before locking in final specifications.
Championship Prospects in 2026
Predicting the competitive order for 2026 remains extremely difficult, given the scale of the regulatory changes coming into force. New chassis rules and an overhauled power unit formula are expected to shake up the grid, potentially reshuffling the hierarchy that defined recent seasons.
For McLaren, that uncertainty presents both opportunity and risk. The Woking-based team enjoyed a dominant 2025 campaign, winning 14 of the 24 races and securing both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. History suggests that teams who finish a regulation cycle on top often face a tougher challenge when new rules are introduced.
A clean-sheet reset gives rivals the chance to close the gap—or even leap ahead—particularly if they interpret the new regulations more effectively. As a result, McLaren may find it harder to maintain the level of dominance they displayed last season.
Nevertheless, there are reasons for optimism within the team. McLaren have been preparing extensively for the 2026 regulations over the past 18 months, investing heavily in development and infrastructure to ensure they are well positioned when the new era begins.
Another major factor working in McLaren’s favour is their driver pairing. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have established themselves as one of the strongest and most consistent line-ups on the grid, and both are expected to be regular contenders for victories if the car proves competitive.
Additionally, McLaren will once again be powered by Mercedes engines in 2026. Mercedes are widely rumoured within the paddock to be among the manufacturers best placed to master the new power unit regulations, which place a greater emphasis on electrical energy and efficiency.
If those rumours prove accurate, McLaren could benefit significantly from their partnership with the Brackley-based outfit, particularly in the early stages of the new rules cycle.
While skipping the first day of testing may raise eyebrows, McLaren’s decision underlines their confidence in their long-term plan. Rather than seeking early reassurance, the team are gambling that extra development time will translate into stronger overall performance when the lights go out for the opening race of the 2026 Formula One season.
