Stella thinks two rival teams top early 2026 pecking order

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has identified Ferrari and Mercedes as the teams to watch after initial pre-season testing, suggesting they appear most competitive. Following shakedowns and the first Bahrain test, Stella noted that while Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes are all "very well-equipped" and "fast," Ferrari and Mercedes particularly stood out in race pace simulations. Lewis Hamilton, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and Charles Leclerc reportedly showed strong performance. Stella cautioned against over-interpreting testing results but acknowledged Ferrari and Mercedes seem ready. McLaren, meanwhile, enjoyed a positive start in Bahrain regarding reliability and mileage, completing crucial tests for their new MCL40, though performance assessments are pending.