McLaren have announced that they will introduce a fresh batch of upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and they expect the race to turn into a four‑car showdown involving Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. After a winless start to the season – the first ten Grands Prix passed without a victory for the defending champions – the team appears to be regaining its competitive edge. Lando Norris has secured three pole positions in the last four events, and his only missed win came when a virtual safety car period in Madrid disrupted his race strategy at the most inopportune moment. The resurgence can be largely credited to McLaren’s relentless development programme.
Throughout the year the MCL40 has received a steady stream of aerodynamic and mechanical updates, each iteration shaving off valuable tenths of a second and gradually restoring the car to a podium‑contending pace. The team’s official preview for the Baku weekend – which this year will be held on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – confirms that new components will be fitted, and that the rotating "H‑Wing" first seen in Monza will make a return after being omitted from the Madrid layout. "As part of the team's continued journey throughout the 2026 season, the team will bring to Baku a set of upgrades aimed to improve the aerodynamic performance of the MCL40," the press release read. "Additionally the H‑Wing, that debuted in Monza, will be back in action on a track where the drag reduction can be a factor.
As has been the approach in previous races this season, all new parts will be evaluated throughout practice before the team makes final decisions regarding the MCL40's Qualifying and Grand Prix setup for the weekend." Chief Technical Officer and Chief Designer Rob Marshall elaborated on the strategic importance of these upgrades, noting that even though McLaren’s championship aspirations have become modest – with Kimi Antonelli leading the Drivers' Championship for Mercedes and the German squad holding a comfortable lead in the Constructors' standings – the team remains eager to push the car forward. "With regulatory continuity into next season and the competition at the front so close, our motivation to keep developing the car remains high," Marshall 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." The Baku City Circuit presents a unique set of challenges that could amplify the impact of the new parts. It boasts the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar, stretching over 2.2 kilometres, which puts a premium on low drag and top‑end speed.
At the same time, the layout features a series of tight, low‑speed corners that demand high downforce and mechanical grip. This combination creates a situation where teams must find a delicate balance between straight‑line efficiency and cornering performance – a balance that the upgraded aerodynamics and the re‑introduced H‑Wing are designed to address. Marshall highlighted the importance of energy management on the Baku lap. "Energy 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," he explained.
The long straight not only tests the power unit’s ability to deliver maximum power but also forces drivers to manage their ERS deployment carefully to avoid running out of usable energy in the final sector. Additionally, the rapid transition from high speed to heavy braking zones puts extra strain on the brake system, meaning teams will be monitoring temperatures closely to prevent fade. Operational precision will be crucial on the narrow street circuit. "Operationally, there is very little margin for error on a tight street circuit.
A small mistake can lead to significant repairs, lost track time and resources being diverted away from performance, so confidence, precision and disciplined execution will be essential throughout the weekend," Marshall added. The team’s engineers will be analysing data from the practice sessions in real time, fine‑tuning the car’s setup to optimise tyre pressures, suspension geometry and aerodynamic balance for the mixed‑speed nature of the track. McLaren’s outlook is optimistic despite the stiff competition. "We expect any of the top four teams to be capable of winning in Baku, with the chasing pack also getting closer, and we hope to be firmly in the fight at the front," the team said.
This confidence is backed by the recent trend of Norris’s qualifying performances and the steady improvement shown by the MCL40 over the past few rounds. The event schedule is packed, starting with a drivers' press conference on Wednesday, followed by a series of practice sessions for both Formula 2 and Formula 1 across Thursday and Friday. Qualifying will take place on Friday afternoon, with the Grand Prix itself scheduled for Saturday morning, a rare Saturday slot that adds an extra layer of excitement for fans.
All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, and viewers can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, McLaren’s decision to bring additional upgrades – including the return of the H‑Wing – underscores their commitment to staying competitive in a season that has already seen a reshuffling of the traditional order. The Baku circuit, with its blend of extreme straight‑line speed and technical sections, offers an ideal platform for the team to test the effectiveness of their aerodynamic tweaks and to challenge the established front‑runners.
If the upgrades perform as expected, McLaren could very well be in contention for a podium finish, and perhaps even the win, in what promises to be a thrilling four‑way battle at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.