McLaren hand rivals staggering 'more upgrades' warning

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the outfit has "further upgrades coming" for the next races, despite its 207-point lead in the F1 constructors' title. 

The Woking-based team has won eight grands prix this season and sits comfortably top of the standings, whilst Oscar Piastri is the current drivers' championship leader. 

It is looking increasingly likely to be a record-breaking campaign for McLaren, who require 443 points from the remaining 13 rounds to beat Red Bull's 2023 record of 860 points. 

"It's a season that so far has gone beyond expectation, let me say," Stella said at McLaren Racing Live. "We've certainly been very, very competitive, eight victories.

"We have just upgraded the car in Austria. There will be further upgrades coming. We want to continue with this kind of momentum and give our fans more reasons to be proud of being a papaya fan."

McLaren's upgrade for the Austrian Grand Prix handed it a staggering pace advantage, with a second part of it set to be introduced soon. 

The British team are not holding back on introducing new parts despite the upcoming new power unit regulations next year, which has seen several squads switch focus to 2026. 

McLaren is starting to do that, with the upcoming upgrades having been developed ahead of the team switching its focus. 

"Well, in reality, we have drawn a line pretty much in terms of development on the ground at the factory," revealed Stella.

"But then there's a lead time between when you stop development and when the upgrades land trackside. So, in terms of upgrades landing trackside, we have some more new stuff coming for the next races.

"So we definitely should be seeing McLaren [become] even more competitive, if possible. Formula 1 is, never stop racing. Never stop development. 

"This is the mindset as soon as you "stop development. Is like you're moving backwards. That's certainly not what we intend to do."