McLaren have announced that they will introduce further upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, and they expect the race to evolve into a four‑horse showdown involving Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. After a winless start to the season – the first ten races passed without a victory for the reigning constructors’ champions – the team appears to have found its stride.
Lando Norris has secured three pole positions in the last four events, and his only missed win came as a result of an ill‑timed virtual safety car during the previous weekend’s race in Madrid. The British outfit has once again demonstrated a strong capacity for development, regularly fitting new components to the MCL40.
These continual improvements have been a key factor in returning the car to the front of the pack and making it a genuine contender for race wins. In the official preview for the Baku weekend – which will be held on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – McLaren confirmed that fresh aerodynamic parts will be fitted and that the rotating "H‑Wing" element, which was absent in Madrid, will be reinstated for the street circuit. "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 team statement 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, despite their championship hopes being slim – Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship and Mercedes sits comfortably at the top of the constructors' table – McLaren remains motivated 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 circuit presents a unique blend of characteristics: it features the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar, demanding low‑drag efficiency, while also containing a series of tight, low‑speed corners that test mechanical grip and braking stability.
Marshall believes this mix 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 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." Operating on a narrow street layout leaves little margin for error.
A single mis‑step can result in costly repairs, loss of track time and a diversion of resources away from performance development. Consequently, confidence, precision and disciplined execution will be essential throughout the weekend.
"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 schedule for the weekend is packed. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference will take place at 11 am, followed by a paddock uncut session at 2 pm. Thursday, September 24, starts early with the F2 practice at 6.55 am, then the Azerbaijan GP practice one at 9 am (the session begins at 9.30 am), followed by F2 qualifying, the team bosses' press conference, practice two and the F1 Show in the afternoon.
Friday, September 25, features the F2 sprint, practice three, the F2 feature race, and finally the crucial qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which begins at 1 pm. Saturday, September 26, sees the F2 feature race 2, the Grand Prix start at 10.30 am and the race itself later in the day, with post‑race analysis and reaction segments scheduled throughout the afternoon. All sessions will also be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event. The race will be broadcast on Sky Sports F1, and fans can watch via the NOW streaming service without a long‑term contract and with the ability to cancel at any time.
In summary, McLaren's decision to bring additional aerodynamic upgrades and re‑introduce the H‑Wing underlines their commitment to staying competitive despite a challenging championship landscape. The distinctive demands of the Baku street circuit – from its blistering straight to its technical sections – should produce a thrilling contest where any of the top four teams could claim victory. McLaren aims to be right in the mix, leveraging the new parts, meticulous practice evaluations and the experience gained over the season to maximise their performance on Saturday's high‑stakes race.