McLaren have announced that they will introduce another set of upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and they are expecting a tightly contested four‑horse race for the win against Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. After a long winless stretch that saw the defending Constructors' Champions miss out on a victory in the first ten rounds of the 2026 campaign, the team appears to have found its stride again.
Lando Norris has now secured three pole positions in the last four events and was only denied a third triumph in Madrid when a virtual safety car was deployed at an inopportune moment, stripping him of a potential win. The resurgence can be largely attributed to McLaren's aggressive development programme. The MCL40 has received a steady stream of aerodynamic and mechanical parts throughout the season, and those incremental improvements have helped lift the car back into the mix for podium finishes. In the official preview for the Baku weekend – which, unlike most races, will be run on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – the team confirmed that fresh components will be on display and that the distinctive rotating "H‑Wing" that made its debut at Monza will be reinstated after being omitted in Madrid.
"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 McLaren 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 explained that, even though the championship battle looks increasingly tilted towards Mercedes – with Kimi Antonelli dominating the Drivers' standings and his team comfortably leading the Constructors' table – McLaren remains eager to keep developing the car. "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 street circuit presents a unique set of challenges that could level the playing field.
It boasts the longest straight on the current Formula 1 calendar, stretching over 2.2 kilometres, which puts a premium on low drag and top‑end speed. At the same time, the lap includes a series of tight, low‑speed corners that test a car's mechanical grip and braking stability.
Marshall believes this blend of high‑speed and technical sections will generate an entertaining battle among the leading teams. "Baku will provide another valuable test of the MCL40 across a very different range of characteristics," he added.
Energy management will be a critical factor, especially given the long straight that allows drivers to build massive kinetic energy before braking hard for Turn 1. "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," Marshall noted.
On a street circuit, there is little room for error; a single mis‑judgement can lead to costly damage, loss of track time and a diversion of resources away from performance development. Consequently, the team emphasised the need for confidence, precision and disciplined execution throughout the weekend. McLaren's schedule for the race weekend is packed. The drivers' press conference is set for Wednesday, 23 September at 11:00 am, followed by a paddock uncut session at 2:00 pm.
Thursday sees a full programme of Formula 2 practice, qualifying and the F1 team bosses' press conference, while Friday includes the F2 sprint, the third F1 practice session, and the crucial qualifying window for the Grand Prix. The race itself will take place on Saturday, 26 September, with the main event slated for midday. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW, with the option to cancel at any time.
Beyond the immediate race, the upgrades being introduced in Baku serve a dual purpose. They are intended to extract the maximum performance possible from the current car, but they also provide valuable data that will inform the design of the 2027 package. By testing new aerodynamic concepts such as the H‑Wing in a high‑drag environment, McLaren can assess how the element influences straight‑line speed versus cornering stability, feeding those insights into the next year's development cycle. In summary, McLaren head into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a refreshed MCL40, a re‑installed H‑Wing, and a clear belief that they can compete with the sport's traditional powerhouses.
While the championship may already be leaning heavily in favour of Mercedes, the unpredictable nature of street circuits like Baku means that any of the top four teams – McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull – could walk away with the win. The team’s message is one of optimism and determination: they aim to be right there at the front, battling for victory, and to use the experience gained to build a stronger foundation for the future.