McLaren Assesses Rivals: Mercedes and Ferrari Exhibit Stronger Race Pace in Bahrain F1 Testing

Woking, UK – McLaren Formula 1 Team Principal Andrea Stella has conceded that competitors Mercedes and Ferrari demonstrated superior race simulation pace during the initial pre-season testing sessions held at the Bahrain International Circuit. Stella’s observations highlight a potential early pecking order emerging from the traditional front-running teams as the 2024 Formula 1 season approaches. While stressing the inherent uncertainty of testing data, Stella indicated that both Mercedes and Ferrari appear to hold a competitive edge in long-run performance.

The three-day pre-season test, concluding Friday, served as the primary opportunity for teams to gather crucial data on their new challengers, the MCL38 for McLaren, the W15 for Mercedes, and the SF-24 for Ferrari, among others. As teams transitioned from initial shakedowns and installation laps to more representative long-run simulations and race stints, the competitive landscape began to take a clearer, albeit still opaque, form. A consensus among paddock observers suggests a leading group consisting of McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and the reigning constructors’ champions, Red Bull Racing.

Mercedes, following an early display of reliability during their Barcelona shakedown, garnered attention. However, their Bahrain test was not without its challenges, with reports of the team encountering difficulties during the latter half of the sessions. Despite these setbacks, the W15 showed formidable speed in race trim. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, and Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, both posted lap times in their race simulations that Stella acknowledged were quicker than McLaren’s efforts. Hamilton, in particular, demonstrated strong pace on Friday, complementing Antonelli’s earlier runs.

Ferrari, initially operating with a lower profile, steadily gained momentum throughout the Bahrain test. The Scuderia significantly improved its mileage tally, surpassing Mercedes in total distance completed over the course of the testing period. Charles Leclerc, driving the SF-24, showcased "quite competitive" race pace on Thursday, with his performance matching the levels observed in subsequent simulations. This sustained performance positioned Ferrari as a significant talking point within the paddock, with many analysts noting their apparent step forward in consistency and long-run capability compared to previous seasons.

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"In terms of race pace, I can confirm that the race pace of Ferrari looks pretty competitive," Stella stated. "In the simulation that Hamilton did, and then there was at the same time one from [Andrea Kimi] Antonelli and one from Oscar [Piastri]. I think Antonelli and Hamilton were quicker than us in the race simulation. I would say that the one from Charles [on Thursday’s] was quite competitive and at the same level as today’s simulations."

Stella, a former engineer at Ferrari and Mercedes, maintained a cautious perspective on interpreting pre-season results, a common sentiment among team principals. "I just invite everyone to just be careful looking too much into what we see in testing," he advised. However, he provided a clear initial assessment: "However, in terms of early indications from a competitiveness point of view, I think definitely [you can] put Ferrari and Mercedes at the top of the list."

Red Bull Racing, the dominant force of the previous two seasons, also featured prominently in Stella’s assessment. The Milton Keynes-based squad, helmed by technical guru Adrian Newey, demonstrated what was described as "impressive-looking energy deployment." This efficiency is particularly notable given Red Bull Powertrains’ developing role as a power unit manufacturer for the upcoming 2026 regulations, suggesting a strong understanding of hybrid system integration and management. Stella affirmed that Red Bull was "very well equipped," indicating that the reigning champions are expected to remain a formidable contender, solidifying the presence of all four traditional top teams within the presumed lead group. The combination of Max Verstappen’s unparalleled driving and the RB20’s refined aerodynamics and power unit integration positions them as the benchmark for the season.

McLaren’s own 2023 season saw a remarkable mid-season resurgence, with significant upgrades transforming the MCL60 into a consistent podium challenger. Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri frequently challenged the front-runners, securing multiple podium finishes. The team’s strong development trajectory led to high expectations for the MCL38. While Stella’s comments suggest an immediate challenge from Mercedes and Ferrari, the Woking outfit remains a strong contender, leveraging its refined operational structure and driver talent. Piastri’s involvement in the comparative race simulations provided direct data for Stella’s analysis, contrasting McLaren’s performance against that of Hamilton and Antonelli.

The Bahrain International Circuit, with its abrasive tarmac, high temperatures, and combination of long straights and heavy braking zones, offers a robust testbed for the cars. The conditions place significant demands on tire management, engine cooling, and aerodynamic efficiency, providing a comprehensive assessment of a car’s overall package. The transition from Barcelona, which historically hosted testing, to Bahrain as the sole pre-season venue, emphasizes the focus on conditions more representative of the early-season races.

Beyond the immediate performance analysis, Stella also touched upon the future direction of Formula 1, specifically the radically different requirements anticipated for the 2026 hybrid power units. He explained that drivers might need to adopt "counterintuitive things" to maximize power unit exploitation, such as "lift and coast in qualifying before braking" or "harvest[ing] a bit rather than trying to do the corner flat out" in high-speed corners. These adjustments would require a shift in driving philosophy from what many drivers have practiced throughout their motorsport careers.

However, Stella underscored that these changes to power unit management would not fundamentally alter the core chassis requirements. "This doesn’t change much in terms of chassis requirements. You still want to have a chassis that delivers as much downforce as possible because you still want to go as fast as possible in the corners," he clarified. "This doesn’t change the fact that the fastest car in Melbourne will be the car that will have the best aerodynamic efficiency."

Ultimately, the McLaren team principal stressed that success in the upcoming Australian Grand Prix, the season opener, will be a holistic achievement. "The fastest car in Melbourne will be the one that has the best downforce, will be fastest in the corners, and has a power unit that is obviously competitive from an internal combustion engine power and also from a harvesting and power deployment point of view," Stella concluded. He acknowledged the complexity of modern Formula 1 but expressed confidence that teams and drivers would adapt.

Prior to these assessments, Stella had also urged the FIA to consider "three imperative tweaks" to improve both safety and the on-track spectacle ahead of the 2026 regulations. These suggestions, while separate from the immediate performance discussions, reflect a broader engagement with the sport’s future evolution.

As the F1 paddock now prepares for the season opener in Melbourne, Australia, the insights from Bahrain offer a tantalizing glimpse into what promises to be another fiercely contested championship. While McLaren acknowledges the early pace of its rivals, the nature of Formula 1 development means the competitive landscape can shift rapidly, and only the opening races will provide definitive answers to the questions raised during pre-season testing.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.