The design guidelines for the new single-seater were already laid out by Easter 2024; the car is now in Austria at a facility equipped with sophisticated dynamic test benches. More important than track testing: it won’t be on the track on the first day in Barcelona

If anyone had any doubts about the true scope of this year’s regulatory revolution in F1, the technical panel organized by McLaren at the McLaren Technology Center in Woking—comprising team principal Andrea Stella, technical director Rob Marshall, and technical performance director Mark Temple—has dispelled any remaining doubts. In fact, it became clear just how much the planning—both at the design level and, above all, in the initial evaluation of the MCL40’s solutions—forms the foundation for building a competitive season. This is the team’s perspective, with Rob Marshall revealing that the first design sketches for the car were drawn up around Easter 2024, allowing the team to progressively—without overlooking any aspect—move into the design of every single component, down to the very last bolt or bearing, that differed from the previous car.

Essentially, the team started well in advance, particularly in conceptualizing the mechanical packaging—more specifically, all the elements that contribute to the power unit’s operation. The power unit features a battery that is larger than last year’s, though this is offset by simpler packaging around the turbine, which, per the regulations, no longer includes the MGU-H. The timelines for design, testing, and assembly were met, with the team completing the first MCL40 a few days ago and then shipping it to AVL’s headquarters in Austria—a company specializing in sophisticated dynamometers—where, at this moment, efforts are underway to refine the base setup with which the team intends to compete in Barcelona.

SHAKEDOWN POSTPONED—  The phase of optimizing the car’s dynamic and aerodynamic setup is considered crucial—even more important than the moment the car takes to the track at Montmelò. In fact, the engineers led by Rob Marshall and Mark Temple have long planned not to take the car out on the track on the first day of the Catalan session, postponing the MCL40’s shakedown until the second or even third day. This decision was not driven by any setbacks or issues during the design or construction phases, but rather by the realization that everyone will need not only to collect a massive amount of on-track data but, above all, to learn how to manage battery energy, identify the best energy recovery methods, and effectively develop the necessary reflexes—even when it comes to active aerodynamics. Essentially, while in 2025 the technical regulations—by then well-established—had allowed for convergence in performance and, above all, in technical choices, now the paths—especially regarding the optimization of on-track performance—are entirely uncharted. Based on this consideration, it is expected—much more so than in the past—that there will be an initial difficulty in gauging the team’s potential level of competitiveness. Rob Marshall and Mark Temple have confirmed that the car set to take the track in Barcelona, despite some differences, will be a fairly accurate preview of the one we’ll see in Melbourne.
One step at a time—  In practice, the idea of proceeding aggressively with development—even during testing—has been ruled out, or at the very least, is not “Plan A.” Instead, the team prefers to obtain clear feedback, unclouded by the introduction of new components on the car. At McLaren, they believe it’s best first to be certain that everything is under control and to understand how to get the most out of the car, in terms of PU modes and setup. This brings us back to 2024 when, starting in Miami, with the introduction of a major development package—developed only after the MCL38’s vulnerabilities had been clearly identified—the Woking-based team laid the groundwork for an unstoppable climb to the top. In short, if anything—amid the uncertainty generated by the new rules—can be considered a useful legacy from the past, it is the broad-spectrum analytical approach with which McLaren is starting the new season.