F1 2026: Early Jitters Dispelled in Spain
Andrea Stella revealed that many initial fears about the new **2026 F1 regulations** quickly "vanished" during the crucial **Barcelona shakedown** week. Nearly all teams, with the exception of **Williams**, participated in the private testing sessions held from January 26-30. This early running aimed to put the next-generation machinery through its paces.
"In general, I think the teams have shown a high level of preparation for the debut of the new generation of cars," **Stella** commented in a **McLaren** interview. He explicitly referenced the rocky start of the hybrid power units 12 years ago, a scenario many feared might repeat itself. However, those concerns proved unfounded.
Power Units Show Promise
A significant relief came from the power unit front. According to **Stella**, even manufacturers introducing their engines to the track for the very first time managed to accumulate substantial mileage. This suggests a more stable and mature development phase for the new engines compared to previous regulation overhauls.
This robust performance is a strong indicator that the core powertrain components are more reliable than anticipated. It allows teams to shift their focus from fundamental component integrity to optimizing the intricate systems surrounding them.
The Complexities of Next-Gen Machinery
While the power units performed admirably, the sheer complexity of the overall **2026 car system** did present its own set of challenges. **Stella** acknowledged that reliability issues that slowed track work for **McLaren** were primarily linked to this intricate system architecture, not fundamental engine problems.
He lauded his team's
