McLaren are set for more upgrades at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend. Image: XPB Images
The reigning constructors’ champion heads to Baku having re-established itself among Formula 1’s leading contenders after a difficult opening phase to the campaign.
Lando Norris has claimed three poles across the past four rounds and converted two of those weekends into victories, while narrowly missing a third in Madrid when the timing of a virtual safety car worked against him.
That recent improvement has coincided with a steady development program, which will continue in Azerbaijan with further aerodynamic changes scheduled to appear on the car.
McLaren has not detailed the individual components involved, but the new parts will be assessed during practice before the team settles on its final specification for qualifying and the race.
The rotating H-Wing first introduced at Monza will also return after sitting out the Madrid weekend.
McLaren chief technical officer and chief designer Rob Marshall said the upgrades would face a particularly varied test around Baku.
“Baku is a circuit of extremes, combining the longest straight in Formula 1 with some of the slowest corners, so there are significant compromises to manage,” he said.
“Straight mode gives every team greater scope to run a low-drag car on the straights while retaining downforce through the corners, but the challenge remains the same: bring the best design and set-up choices, then execute them cleanly on track.”
Marshall conceded the team has not always accurately anticipated its level of performance this year as it continues to understand the current generation of cars.
“We are still learning about these cars at every event, and we have both overperformed and underperformed against our expectations at different races this season,” he added.
“Baku will provide another valuable test of the MCL40 across a very different range of characteristics.
“Energy management and deployment will be particularly important, as will tyre and brake management with the cars arriving at Turn 1 after the long straight with these areas relatively cold.”
McLaren’s ongoing push also comes as teams increasingly divide resources between the current campaign and development of their 2027 cars.
Despite that crossover, Marshall said there was no intention of easing the MCL40 development program while victories remain within reach.
“With regulatory continuity into next season and the competition at the front so close, our motivation to keep developing the car remains high,” he said.
“We must balance that with work on next year’s car, but our immediate focus is on delivering more performance and fighting for more victories in 2026, while carrying forward everything we learn.”
McLaren expects Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull to remain in the mix in Azerbaijan, with Marshall predicting any of the leading four teams could emerge on top.
The race will take place on Saturday rather than Sunday this year to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan’s national Remembrance Day, with FP1 getting underway on Thursday at 12.30pm local time (6.30pm AEST).