Andrea Stella says McLaren has strongest driver pairing to fight for Formula 1 Constructors' Championship

But the Woking squad did not have the start they were hoping for, as they targeted a successful defense campaign as Mercedes emerged as the team to beat, with George Russell winning one of the first four races in 2026 and Kimi Antonelli winning the remaining three.

Norris won the Sprint Race in Miami as McLaren brought a comprehensive upgrade package for the MCL40, which increased its competitiveness, but the team missed out during the Grand Prix with a strategy that wasn't ideal, costing Norris a potential win.

However, and while being very cautious, McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella still believes defending the team's 2025 Title may still be possible.

Speaking to the media in Miami, he said: “I think if we now start to consider championships at the end of the season, then I think we need to be a bit careful because we are just at the fourth race.

“We have just delivered our first upgrade. We are in Miami, and McLaren looks like they traditionally have done very well in Miami, so it could be that the way we develop our cars kind of suits this circuit, so we will have to see more.

“But at the same time, because it's only the fourth race and we have scored a good chunk of points even compared to Mercedes, we know that we can further develop our car.

“We have said already before Miami that the championship is not a sign-off, so our logic is to look at the long term, try and defend the championship, but as soon as we say that, we come back in the present and we do the right thing today because there's really not much point in thinking so far forward, but definitely we want to defend the championship," Stella explained.

The Italian is counting on Norris and Oscar Piastri—who were second and third in Miami, respectively—to deliver another Constructors' Title for McLaren in 2026.

He said: “At the same time, I think we have seen for McLaren that in Japan, with a car that wasn't competitive yet, Oscar was in condition to fight for the win again and score a podium.

"Oscar, confirming a podium finish here, and Lando, one win in the Sprint and in the fight for the victory here. I think when we look in particular at the Constructors’ Championship, I think we are, from a driver's point of view, probably the strongest pair.

"We want to capitalize on this strength that we have at McLaren, but we need to make the car a little bit faster," Stella concluded.

McLaren are currently third in the 2026 F1 Constructors' Championship so far with 94 points. Mercedes lead with 180 points, while Ferrari are second with 110 points. (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)