Andrea Stella has been positively reflecting on McLaren’s race pace during testing, noting it as “encouraging.” However, he’s mindful that other cars may possess a raw speed that could pave the way for up to six teams vying at the front this season.
Carlos Sainz lit up the track for Williams on the second day of Bahrain testing. He wrapped up his pre-season work by running on lower fuel, which allowed him to delve into performance aspects more than the typically leading teams. McLaren, on the other hand, skipped out on a low-fuel lap. Yet, throughout the race simulations, Lando Norris was observed to be quicker than both Ferrari and Mercedes, something that Stella has recognized.
Stella explains, “Each team is always scrutinizing the data they’ve garnered against that of their rivals. However, for me, it’s crucial, and it’s crucial for the team, to focus on our own data. We look at how our car’s behavior measures against our expectations.
Recent testing, marked by rains, saw Sainz leading with Hamilton trailing behind. With the start of F1 testing being notably captivating, Norris took the top spot after F1 testing was delayed due to a power outage.
“In terms of aerodynamics—and mechanically—we’ve rolled out some innovative changes. We wanted to ensure that the car performs just as anticipated, which has been our key focus for these initial days,” Stella remarks.
He further notes, “We’ve emphasized the importance of not getting sidetracked by competitors’ presentations. The long-run pace is optimistic, though some cars are undeniably pulling off very competitive times on low fuel—times that hold up competitively across the board.
“I came in thinking it was all about the top three teams. But with McLaren stepping up, those thoughts expanded to four. This season, however, we might need to rethink our narrative,” Stella continues. “We could potentially talk about a top five or six, which would be fantastic news for Formula 1. There are several fast cars showing up.”
Williams stands out not just alone; Alpine has also shown strength among last year’s midfield bunch. Nonetheless, Stella advises caution when interpreting the average lap times from the damp race simulation conditions experienced this week.
“Our long runs were designed to test all three tire compounds and to observe their behaviors. Even if other teams utilized a different sequence, each sought the same end—determining the best compound for racing,” he explained. “Pirelli has revamped these compounds compared to last year, and there’s a noticeable difference.
“Testing under Bahrain’s particular conditions, with cold tarmac and air, offers valuable insights, especially with long runs and race simulations,” Stella adds. “Yet, we must handle this data cautiously. The stresses on tires in early-season races will be vastly different than those experienced here. As it stands, the car interacts well with the tires, but it’s under these unique conditions in Bahrain.”
