Andrea Stella disputes Mercedes budget claims as McLaren eyes Monza

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has dismissed claims by Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff regarding financial constraints. Wolff previously suggested that Mercedes lacks the budget to match the rapid development pace seen at teams like McLaren and Ferrari. Stella expressed skepticism, noting that teams have an additional three million euros available for 2026 budget cap calculations due to the transition to new engine generations.

Following recent successes in Budapest and Zandvoort, McLaren driver Lando Norris has reduced his championship deficit to 83 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli. Despite this momentum, Stella maintains a cautious approach, stating that the team must first see how their car performs at Monza. While the MCL40 has excelled on high-downforce tracks, the high-speed requirements of the Italian Grand Prix will serve as a critical test for the car's technical progress.