McLaren have announced that they will introduce a fresh set of upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and they expect the race in Baku to evolve into a four‑horse showdown involving Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. After a winless start to the season – the first ten rounds passed without a victory for the reigning world champions – the team has begun to rediscover its competitive edge.
Lando Norris has secured three pole positions in the last four events, and his only missed win so far came when a virtual safety car was deployed at an inopportune moment during the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. The progress McLaren have shown this year can be traced back to a relentless development programme. The MCL40 has been subject to a steady stream of aerodynamic and mechanical enhancements, each iteration shaving off valuable tenths of a second and gradually returning the outfit to the front‑row of the grid. In their official preview for the Baku weekend – which unusually takes place on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – the team confirmed that a number of new components will be fitted, and that the rotating "H‑Wing" – first seen in Monza – will reappear after being omitted in Madrid.
"As part of our ongoing evolution throughout the 2026 campaign, we will bring to Baku a package of upgrades designed to boost the aerodynamic efficiency of the MCL40," the team statement read. "In addition, the H‑Wing, which debuted in Monza, will be reinstated on a circuit where drag reduction can make a decisive difference. As with previous rounds, all new parts will be tested during practice before we lock in the final qualifying and race set‑up for the weekend." Chief Technical Officer and Chief Designer Rob Marshall explained that, despite their championship hopes having dwindled – Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes now dominate the drivers' and constructors' standings – the squad remains motivated to keep pushing the car forward.
"With regulatory continuity into next year and the front‑running teams so closely matched, our drive to develop the car stays high," Marshall said. "We have to balance that with work on the 2027 car, but our immediate priority is to extract more performance and chase further wins in 2026, while carrying forward every lesson we learn." Baku presents a unique test for the MCL40. The circuit combines the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar with a series of tight, low‑speed corners, creating a wide performance envelope that challenges both aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip.
Marshall believes this mix will generate an entertaining battle among the top teams. "Baku will provide another valuable test of the MCL40 across a very different range of characteristics," he noted. Energy management will be a critical factor, especially given the long straight leading into a cold, twisty sector. "Deploying the hybrid boost at the right moments, and managing tyre and brake temperatures as the cars arrive at Turn 1 after the high‑speed run, will be essential," Marshall added.
"On a narrow street circuit there is virtually no margin for error – a small mistake can trigger costly repairs, loss of track time and a diversion of resources away from performance. Confidence, precision and disciplined execution will be the hallmarks of any team that hopes to succeed this weekend." The team’s outlook is optimistic: "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 event schedule is packed. Wednesday, 23 September, will feature a drivers' press conference at 11:00 am followed by a paddock‑uncut session at 2:00 pm.
Thursday, 24 September, begins with an early F2 practice at 6:55 am, then the first Azerbaijan GP practice session at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, a team bosses' press conference at noon, the second GP practice at 12:30 pm (starting at 1:00 pm), and The F1 Show at 2:15 pm. Friday, 25 September, sees the F2 sprint at 5:10 am, the third GP practice at 9:30 am, the F2 feature race at 11:10 am, GP qualifying build‑up at 12:30 pm, the actual Azerbaijan GP qualifying at 1:00 pm, and Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm.
Saturday, 26 September, starts with the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, the Grand Prix itself at 10:30 am, followed by the race build‑up at noon, the chequered flag ceremony at 2:00 pm, and a post‑race reaction segment at 3:00 pm. All sessions will also be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event. The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marking the start of a triple‑header of races.
The Baku race is scheduled for Saturday at midday, and viewers can stream the coverage via NOW, without a long‑term contract and with the option to cancel at any time.