McLaren Team Principal Warns of ‘Problem’ in ‘Appeal’ to F1 Bosses Over Race Starts

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McLaren Chief Flags Dangerous F1 Starts

  • Stella raises alarm: McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has called on F1 rulemakers to review race start procedures, warning of potential safety risks after the Australian GP.

  • Issue at the start:

    • Drivers were initially given time for turbos to reach full speed.

    • Cars with low battery levels struggled off the line, creating huge speed differentials.

    • Liam Lawson and other slower cars were effectively stranded, overtaken by better-charged rivals.

  • Three main areas of concern:

    1. Race starts: Stella says near misses and unpredictable speed differences on the grid could become dangerous.

    2. Cars following: Large speed differentials on track make it tricky for drivers close behind, creating unpredictable situations.

    3. Overtaking: Battery-dependent overtaking feels “artificial,” with opportunities determined by battery deployment rather than racecraft.

  • Stella’s call: He urges F1 to maintain focus on safety and continue reviewing start procedures, energy deployment, and overtaking dynamics as the season progresses.

  • Key takeaway: While exciting at times, the new F1 2026 regulations have introduced technical and safety challenges that teams want to monitor closely before they escalate.