McLaren have announced that they will introduce further upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, and they expect the race to turn into a four‑horse contest 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 have found its stride. Lando Norris has secured three pole positions in the last four events, and his only missed win to date was the result of an ill‑timed virtual safety car in the previous round at Madrid.
The British outfit has once again demonstrated a strong capacity for development. Continuous improvements to the MCL40 have played a pivotal role in restoring the car to a pace that can challenge for race wins. In their official preview for the Baku weekend – which, unlike most rounds, will be held on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – McLaren confirmed that new aerodynamic components will be fitted and that the rotating "H‑Wing" introduced at Monza will return 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 slim odds of retaining the championship – with Kimi Antonelli leading the Drivers' Championship and his Mercedes squad comfortably ahead in the Constructors' standings – McLaren remain motivated to push the car 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 blend of extremes: it houses the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar, allowing cars to reach top speeds exceeding 360 km/h, yet it also contains 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 entertaining battle among the top teams. "Baku will provide another valuable test of the MCL40 across a very different range of characteristics," he added.
Energy management will be crucial, given the length of the main straight and the need to preserve tyre life for the heavy braking zones that follow. "Energy 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," Marshall explained.
"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 four leading manufacturers – McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull – could claim the win, while the midfield pack continues to close 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. On Wednesday, September 23, a drivers' press conference will take place at 11 am, followed by a paddock uncut session at 2 pm. Thursday, September 24, starts early with a Formula 2 practice at 6:55 am, then the Azerbaijan GP practice one at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, and the team bosses' press conference at noon. Practice two begins at 1 pm, with the F1 Show at 2:15 pm.
Friday, September 25, features the F2 sprint at 5:10 am, practice three for the Grand Prix at 9:30 am, the F2 feature race at 11:10 am, and the crucial qualifying sessions for the Azerbaijan GP starting at 1 pm, followed by Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3 pm. Saturday, September 26, sees the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, the Grand Prix start at 10:30 am, and the race itself at midday. The day concludes with post‑race analysis, a chequered‑flag reaction at 2 pm, and Ted's Notebook at 3 pm. All sessions will also be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be broadcast on Sky Sports F1 and can be streamed via NOW without a long‑term contract, offering viewers the flexibility to cancel at any time. This Saturday‑race format adds an extra layer of excitement to the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, marking the start of a triple‑header of events that will keep fans engaged throughout the week. In summary, McLaren's decision to bring additional aerodynamic upgrades and re‑introduce the H‑Wing reflects their determination to stay competitive despite a challenging championship landscape. The unique demands of the Baku circuit – high‑speed straights, heavy braking zones, and narrow street sections – will test the team's engineering solutions and driver skill.
With four top teams in contention and the midfield narrowing the gap, the race promises to be a thrilling showcase of strategy, precision and raw speed.