McLaren have announced that they will introduce further upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and they expect a tight four‑way contest for the win against 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 has begun to show signs of life. Lando Norris has secured three pole positions in the last four events and was only denied a third win when a virtual safety car intervened at the most recent race in Madrid. The British outfit has once again demonstrated its capacity for rapid development.
Continuous updates to the MCL40 have played a decisive role in returning the car to the front of the grid and making it a genuine contender for race wins. In the official preview for the Baku weekend – which, unlike most rounds, will be held on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – McLaren revealed that new components will be fitted and that the rotating "H‑Wing" will make a comeback after being omitted in Madrid.
"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 picture looking bleak – Kimi Antonelli is dominating the Drivers' Championship and his Mercedes squad sits comfortably at the top of the constructors' standings – McLaren remains eager to push development 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 street circuit presents a unique set of challenges.
It hosts the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar, allowing cars to reach extreme top speeds, but it also contains a series of tight, low‑speed corners that test a car's mechanical grip and driver precision. Marshall believes these contrasting characteristics will generate an exciting showdown among the leading teams. "Baku will provide another valuable test of the MCL40 across a very different range of characteristics," he added. Energy management will be crucial, especially given the long straight that feeds into a cold set of brakes and tyres at Turn 1.
"Energy deployment, tyre and brake management will be particularly important," Marshall noted. "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." The team is confident that any of the top four manufacturers – Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren – could take the checkered flag in Baku, while the midfield pack is 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," Marshall concluded. The race weekend schedule is packed with supporting events.
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, includes early‑morning F2 practice, the main Azerbaijan GP practice session at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying, a team bosses' press conference and the second practice session beginning at 1:00 pm, capped by "The F1 Show" at 2:15 pm. Friday, 25 September, sees the F2 sprint race, the third practice session, the F2 feature race, and the crucial qualifying sessions for both F2 and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, with the latter slated for 1:00 pm. Saturday, 26 September, will host the second F2 feature race, the Grand Prix start at 10:30 am and the race itself at midday, followed by post‑race analysis and commentary.
All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be broadcast in the United Kingdom via Sky Sports F1 and the NOW streaming platform, offering a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime option for viewers. The Saturday race timing adds an extra layer of excitement to the weekend, kicking off a triple‑header of races that will keep fans glued to their screens throughout the week.
In summary, McLaren's fresh aerodynamic upgrades and the return of the H‑Wing are designed to extract every ounce of performance from the MCL40 on Baku's demanding layout. While the championship battle may be largely decided elsewhere, the team sees this race as a prime opportunity to showcase their progress, challenge the established front‑runners and potentially add another win to their 2026 campaign.