McLaren have announced that they will introduce further upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a race that is expected to feature a tight four‑way fight for the win between the British team and the usual suspects – Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. After a long winless streak that stretched across the first ten rounds of the 2026 season, the reigning Constructors' Champions have begun to rediscover their competitive edge. Lando Norris has already secured three pole positions in the last four events, and his only missed opportunity for a third victory came in Madrid when a virtual safety car was deployed at the most inopportune moment, stripping him of a potential win.
The resurgence of McLaren can be largely attributed to their aggressive development programme. The MCL40 has received a steady stream of aerodynamic and mechanical updates throughout the year, each iteration shaving off precious tenths of a second and gradually restoring the team to the front of the grid.
In their official preview for the Baku weekend – which, unlike most Grand Prix, will be held on a Saturday instead of the traditional Sunday – the team confirmed that new components will be fitted and that the distinctive rotating "H‑Wing" that debuted at Monza will make a return after being omitted in the previous round at 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, which first appeared in Monza, will be back in action on a circuit where drag reduction can be a decisive 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 race setup for the weekend." Chief Technical Officer and Chief Designer Rob Marshall elaborated on the strategic rationale behind persisting with development despite the fact that McLaren's title hopes have become increasingly remote. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli currently dominates the Drivers' Championship, and his team sits comfortably at the top of the Constructors' standings, leaving McLaren in a clear under‑dog position.
Nevertheless, Marshall stressed that the continuity of the technical regulations into the next season, combined with the razor‑thin margins separating the front‑running teams, keep the engineers highly motivated. "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 blend of challenges that are likely to amplify the on‑track drama. It boasts the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar, stretching over 2.2 kilometres, which rewards low drag and high top‑speed configurations. At the same time, the track snakes through a tight, narrow street layout with several low‑speed corners that test a car's mechanical grip and braking stability.
This combination makes aerodynamic efficiency and energy‑recovery management crucial. Marshall expects the H‑Wing, designed to reduce drag on long straights, could provide a tangible advantage on the Baku straight, while the team will also need to fine‑tune their brake cooling and tyre temperature strategies for the cold entry into Turn 1 after the high‑speed run. "Baku will provide another valuable test of the MCL40 across a very different range of characteristics," Marshall added. "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.
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." The British outfit believes that any of the top four teams – McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull – have a realistic shot at taking the checkered flag in Baku, and that the gap between the leaders and the chasing pack has been narrowing as the season progresses. "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," Marshall concluded.
The race weekend schedule is packed with supporting events. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference will begin at 11:00 am, followed by the paddock uncut session at 2:00 pm.
Thursday, September 24, starts early with a Formula 2 practice at 6:55 am, then the Azerbaijan GP practice one at 9:30 am, and a series of qualifying sessions for both F2 and F1 later in the day. Friday, September 25, features the F2 sprint, a third practice session for the Grand Prix, and the crucial F1 qualifying session at 1:00 pm, culminating in a pre‑race briefing. Finally, Saturday, September 26, the main event – the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – will kick off at noon, with the race concluding in the early afternoon and post‑race analysis following shortly after. For fans wishing to follow the action live, the event will be broadcast on Sky Sports F1 and streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.
The Saturday timing adds an extra layer of excitement, as the race will be part of a triple‑header weekend that also includes other Formula 1 events, making it a marquee moment in the 2026 calendar. McLaren’s fresh upgrades, combined with the demanding nature of the Baku circuit, set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating and closely contested Grand Prix.