McLaren have announced that they will introduce a fresh set of upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, and they expect the race to turn into a four‑horse 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 reigning world champions – the team appears to be finding its stride again. Lando Norris has secured three pole positions in the last four events, and his only missed win came in Madrid when a virtual safety car was deployed at the most inopportune moment, stripping him of a potential triumph.
The resurgence can be largely credited to McLaren’s aggressive development programme. The MCL40 has been receiving regular aerodynamic and mechanical upgrades throughout the year, and these incremental improvements have lifted the car back into the mix for podium finishes. In the official preview for the Baku weekend – which, unlike most races, is scheduled for Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – the team confirmed 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 setup. "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 motivation behind the relentless development push, even though McLaren's chances of clinching the championship have become increasingly slim. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli currently dominates the Drivers' Championship, and his team sits comfortably at the top of the Constructors' standings.
Nevertheless, Marshall stressed that the continuity of regulations into the next season and the razor‑thin margins at the front keep the team’s engineering staff 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." Baku's street circuit presents a unique blend of challenges that could level the playing field. It boasts the longest straight on the current F1 calendar, demanding low drag for top speed, while also featuring a series of tight, low‑speed corners that test a car's mechanical grip and braking stability.
Marshall believes these contrasting characteristics will produce an exciting 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. 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." He concluded with a confident outlook: "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 event schedule is packed.
On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference kicks off at 11 am, followed by the paddock uncut at 2 pm. Thursday sees the start of the F2 practice at 6.55 am, with the first Azerbaijan GP practice session beginning at 9.30 am, followed by F2 qualifying, the team bosses' press conference and the second practice session. Friday features the F2 sprint, the third GP practice, the F2 feature race, and finally the crucial qualifying session for the Grand Prix at 1 pm. Saturday, the day of the race, begins with the second F2 feature race, then the main event at 10.30 am, culminating in the Grand Prix itself.
The weekend wraps up on Sunday with post‑race analysis and reactions. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, and the race will also be available via the NOW streaming platform, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.
Fans can look forward to a high‑octane spectacle as McLaren seeks to turn its recent development gains into tangible results, hoping to break the winless streak and re‑establish itself among the sport's elite in the challenging environment of Baku.