McLaren have announced that they will bring a fresh batch of upgrades to the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and they expect the race in Baku to turn 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 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 so far was the result of an ill‑timed virtual safety car in the previous round at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The British outfit has demonstrated a strong capacity for rapid development throughout the year.
Continuous aerodynamic and mechanical upgrades to the MCL40 have played a pivotal role in lifting the car back into the mix for podiums and potential wins. In the official preview for the Baku weekend – which, unusually, will be held on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – McLaren confirmed that a suite of new components will be introduced. Most notably, the rotating "H‑Wing" that debuted in Monza will make a return after being omitted from the Madrid race package. "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 elaborated on the rationale behind pushing forward with development despite the fact that McLaren's championship hopes 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, leaving McLaren in a chase for individual race wins rather than the overall title.
"With regulatory continuity into next season and the competition at the front so close, our motivation to keep developing the car remains high," Marshall explained. "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 set of challenges that are likely to test the MCL40's versatility.
The track features 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 circuit is punctuated by a series of tight, low‑speed corners that demand strong mechanical grip and precise handling. This combination creates a demanding environment where aerodynamic efficiency and braking stability must be balanced perfectly.
Marshall highlighted that Baku will serve as a valuable laboratory for the team: "Baku will provide another valuable test of the MCL40 across a very different range of characteristics. 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 added that the competitive landscape is expected to be extremely tight: "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." Beyond the technical narrative, the weekend schedule is packed with supporting series and media events.
The program kicks off on Wednesday, September 23, with a drivers' press conference at 11:00 am, followed by a paddock uncut session at 2:00 pm. Thursday, September 24, sees an early F2 practice at 6:55 am, the first F1 practice session at 9:30 am, and the start of qualifying for the support series later in the morning. The day also includes a team bosses' press conference at noon and a second F1 practice session beginning at 1:00 pm. On Friday, September 25, the schedule intensifies with an F2 sprint race, the final F1 practice session, the F2 feature race, and the crucial F1 qualifying session slated for 1:00 pm, accompanied by a live analysis segment, "Ted's Qualifying Notebook," at 3:00 pm.
Saturday, September 26, the day of the Grand Prix, begins with the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, followed by the main event – the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – starting at 12:00 pm. Post‑race coverage will feature a reaction segment at 2:00 pm and another edition of "Ted's Notebook" at 3:00 pm.
All sessions will also be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, ensuring fans can follow the action across multiple platforms. The decision to run the race on a Saturday is part of a broader triple‑header strategy for the 2026 season, with the Baku round positioned between two other back‑to‑back events. Sky Sports F1 will broadcast the race live, and viewers can stream the coverage through NOW, a subscription service that offers a flexible, contract‑free option with the ability to cancel at any time.
In summary, McLaren's aggressive upgrade plan, the return of the H‑Wing, and the distinctive demands of the Baku circuit set the stage for a highly competitive weekend. While the team acknowledges the slim odds of clinching the championship, their focus remains on extracting maximum performance, capitalising on every opportunity for a podium, and gathering data that will inform the development of next year’s car. With four top teams poised to contest the win, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling showcase of speed, strategy, and precision engineering.