McLaren boss Andrea Stella has admitted the team has fallen “below our expectations” after a “challenging” first part of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
In only the second Grand Prix of the year, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to score in Canada last time out, dealing a major blow to their title ambitions and McLaren’s constructors’ championship defence.
Mercedes has won five grands prix this season and leads Ferrari by 72 points and McLaren by 113 ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. Sky Sports F1.
“The start of the season wasn’t easy, we had different kinds of problems,” Stella said.
“It was a painful race because in the first race Oscar had trouble lapping to the grid and then in China (with dual DNS) there was a problem with the electrical side of the power unit.
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Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri discuss what happened after both McLarens were forced to miss the Chinese Grand Prix due to electrical issues.
“There have been problems in almost every area of racing in Canada. There is definitely a lot to take in and look at, from the sport and racing side to reliability and accidents.
“At the same time, there are encouraging signs of how much we are learning both in terms of vehicle development and powertrain utilization.
“Competing for a championship is definitely below our expectations.”
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Norris crossed the line to win the Miami Grand Prix Sprint while Piastri finished second.
McLaren were on the upswing after challenging Mercedes in Japan and Miami, the latter of which Norris won in a sprint for Piatri.
Over the past three years, McLaren has served as a benchmark in terms of development, but the front wing they brought to Canada detached from the car after practice, suggesting it did not perform as expected.
Norris later confirmed that the front wing would be reintroduced at Monaco or a more traditional track at next weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
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Norris reflects on the Canadian Grand Prix where ‘a lot of things didn’t go as planned’.
Stella is not discounting McLaren’s title hopes, but is wary that the team has already lost a number of points to Mercedes.
He said: “We don’t think much about the past. We try to learn every day so we can be as prepared as possible for the next race. We definitely believe the championship will not be conceded.”
“We want to be in this championship and we want it to be decided in Abu Dhabi. I think that’s a strong commitment we have at McLaren and we want to make it happen.”
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Take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments from the Monaco Grand Prix.
Stella: McLaren ‘well positioned’ to repeat Monaco victory
Ferrari is widely seen as the favorite to take the all-important pole position in Monaco this Saturday, which would give either Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton a big chance of victory on Sunday to end Mercedes’ Grand Prix winning streak.
Although the rules have completely changed from last year to this season, the characteristics of Ferrari and McLaren’s cars mean they could be the top two teams again in Monaco this weekend.
Twelve months ago, Norris defeated Leclerc in a hard-fought race to win F1’s most famous race for the first time.
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Norris won the Monaco Grand Prix last year.
Stella said: “I would say that at its current level of development the McLaren car is probably best suited to low-speed corners rather than the medium- and high-speed corners where Ferrari and Mercedes are superior. This will put us in a good position for Monaco.
“At the same time, there are several mid- and high-speed corners in Monaco. There are some that exceed 150 km/h, such as the casino corner, the pounding speed is 180 km/h, and the swimming pool is 200 km/h, so mid- and high-speed performance is actually important in Monaco.
“But some of the low-speed corners are extremely low-speed. In some ways it’s in a league of its own. I think Ferrari will definitely be the favourite, but McLaren is competitive and we will try to repeat the achievement in Monaco last year.”
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Martin recalls the brutal conditions at the Monaco Grand Prix during his racing career.
Live Monaco GP schedule on Sky Sports F1
Thursday, June 4th
12:20 PM: F3 practice
1:55 PM: F2 practice
2:55 p.m.: Driver press conference.
4pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday, June 5th
10am: F3 qualifying
12pm: Monaco GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2.05pm: F2 qualifying
3 p.m.: Team leader press conference
3.30pm: Monaco GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5:15 PM: F1 Show
Saturday, June 6th
9:40 AM: F3 Sprint
11:15 AM: Monaco GP Practice 3 (session starts at 11:30 AM)
1:10 PM: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Monaco GP qualifying build-up
3pm: Monaco GP Qualifying*
5 p.m.: Ted’s Qualifying Notes
Sunday, June 7
6:50 AM: F3 Feature Race
8:30 AM: F2 Feature Race
10:50 a.m.: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Monaco GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2 p.m.: Monaco Grand Prix*
4pm: Monaco GP reaction: checkered flag*
5 p.m.: Ted’s Notes
*Applies to Sky Sports main event as well
Watch the Monaco Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend, the first of six races in eight weeks. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No Commitment, Cancel Anytime
