McLaren have announced that they will introduce a fresh batch of upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a race that is expected to evolve 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 Constructors' champions – the team has begun to rediscover its competitive edge.
Lando Norris has secured three pole positions in the last four events and was only denied a third win in Madrid when a virtual safety car was deployed at an inopportune moment, truncating his race lead. The resurgence can be largely credited to McLaren's relentless development programme.
The MCL40 has benefited from a steady stream of aerodynamic and mechanical enhancements, each iteration narrowing the performance gap to the front‑running outfits. In the official preview for the Baku weekend – which, unusually, will be held on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – the team confirmed that a suite of new components will be fitted, and that the rotating "H‑Wing" – first seen in Monza – will return after being omitted from the Madrid 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 explained that, despite the championship battle being heavily tilted in favour of Mercedes – with Kimi Antonelli leading the Drivers' standings and his team comfortably ahead in the Constructors' table – McLaren's motivation to keep developing the current car remains undiminished. "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 set of challenges that could level the playing field. Its hallmark is the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar, stretching over 2.2 kilometres, which rewards low drag and high top‑speed configurations.
Yet the track also snakes through a series of tight, low‑speed corners where mechanical grip, braking stability and tyre management become decisive. Marshall believes these contrasting demands will produce an "entertaining competition between the top 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." Marshall is confident that any of the four leading teams – McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull – could take the checkered flag in Baku, and he notes that the midfield pack is also narrowing the gap. "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," he concluded. Beyond the technical brief, the weekend schedule is packed with support series and media events.
The drivers' press conference is slated for Wednesday 23 September at 11:00 am, followed by a paddock uncut session at 2:00 pm. Thursday sees an early F2 practice at 6:55 am, the first Azerbaijan GP practice at 9:30 am, and a series of qualifying sessions for both F2 and F1 throughout the day, culminating in the team bosses' press conference at noon. Friday's agenda includes the F2 sprint race, the final practice session for the Grand Prix, and the F2 feature race before the crucial F1 qualifying, which will determine the grid for the Saturday race.
The Saturday program features the second F2 feature race, the start of the Grand Prix at 10:30 am, and post‑race analysis segments such as Ted's Qualifying Notebook. The race itself will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with a simultaneous stream available via NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. This marks the first time in the 2026 season that an F1 Grand Prix will be held on a Saturday, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans and teams alike.
In summary, McLaren's decision to roll out additional aerodynamic upgrades and re‑introduce the H‑Wing underscores their commitment to staying competitive despite a points deficit. The Baku circuit's blend of extreme straight‑line speed and technical street‑section challenges promises to test the limits of every car on the grid. With the championship battle heating up and the midfield narrowing, the upcoming race could very well become a decisive moment in the 2026 Formula 1 narrative, and McLaren appears ready to seize any opportunity to climb back onto the podium.