McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has revealed Formula 1's "curse" of always looking to the future, rather than enjoying past success and securing back-to-back titles.
McLaren's rise under the previous regulations was remarkable, going from effectively being the weakest team on the grid at the start of 2023 to securing back-to-back championships by the end of 2025.
The Woking-based outfit entered this year's new power unit regulations not only as the defending constructors' champions, but also with Lando Norris as the reigning drivers' world champion.
As impressive as the British team's recent seasons have been, it has been unable to dwell on the past, having endured a difficult start to the new regulations.
McLaren has found itself adrift of Mercedes and, often, Ferrari across the opening nine rounds, and already sits 154 points behind the Silver Arrows.
The papaya squad is yet to claim a victory in 2026, a stark contrast to the previous two years. As a result, the team is focused on the future and finding improvements, with Stella hopeful of returning to the front.
Asked if McLaren's mindset is on enjoying being champions or looking to the future, Stella told the official Goodwood broadcast: "Well, first of all, the past is the past, but it's an incredible past. It's almost career- and life-defining, if you want.
"Having been at McLaren, building block by block, day by day, together with Lando, we don't forget where we started. We were almost last, and we ended up as constructors' champions, with Lando becoming world champion and us winning both world titles.
"So it was a massive achievement, and we were happy for ourselves, but above all for all the papaya fans who could celebrate it with us. Hopefully, it was a great emotion for them.
"But there's a little bit of a curse in F1, and in sport generally, and it's the fact that you're always looking to the future. Looking ahead, we want to be in a position very soon to repeat these kinds of results and see Lando and Oscar succeed, and then fight again for the world championship."
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