McLaren have announced that they will introduce further upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a race where they expect a fierce four‑way showdown for the win against Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. After a dry spell that saw the reigning Constructors' Champions miss out on a victory in the first ten rounds of the 2026 season, the team appears to be regaining momentum.
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, stripping him of a potential race‑leading advantage. The resurgence can be largely credited to McLaren's aggressive development programme. The MCL40 has benefited from a steady stream of aerodynamic and mechanical parts, each iteration pushing the car closer to the front of the grid. In their official preview for the Baku weekend—held on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday—the team confirmed that new components will be fitted and that the distinctive rotating "H‑Wing" will make a return after being omitted in the previous round at Madrid.
The H‑Wing, first seen in Monza, is designed to reduce drag on circuits with long straights, and Baku's 6.003‑kilometre layout, which boasts the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar, presents an ideal environment for its deployment. "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 strategic importance of these upgrades despite the team's diminishing title hopes. With Kimi Antonelli leading the Drivers' Championship and Mercedes comfortably ahead in the Constructors' standings, McLaren's primary objective has shifted toward securing race wins and accumulating valuable points.
"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 circuit poses a unique set of challenges that test a car's versatility.
The track combines the longest straight in F1 with a series of tight, low‑speed corners, demanding a delicate balance between low drag for top speed and sufficient downforce for cornering stability. Marshall expects this mix to generate an entertaining 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." Marshall is confident that any of the top four teams—McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull—could claim victory in Baku, while the midfield pack is also closing 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.
The race weekend schedule is packed with supporting events. On Wednesday, September 23, a Drivers' Press Conference will take place at 11:00 am, followed by a Paddock Uncut session at 2:00 pm. Thursday, September 24, features early‑morning Formula 2 practice at 6:55 am, the first Azerbaijan GP practice session at 9:30 am, and a series of qualifying and press events throughout the day, including the Team Bosses' Press Conference at noon. Friday, September 25, sees the Formula 2 Sprint race, the third practice session for the Grand Prix, and the crucial qualifying session for the Azerbaijan GP at 1:00 pm, accompanied by Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm.
Saturday, September 26, the day of the main event, begins with the second Formula 2 Feature Race at 7:55 am, followed by the Grand Prix start at 10:30 am. The weekend will conclude on Sunday with post‑race analysis, a chequered‑flag reaction segment at 2:00 pm, and Ted's final Notebook at 3:00 pm. All sessions marked with an asterisk will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be aired on a Saturday, a departure from the usual Sunday slot, as part of Sky Sports F1's triple‑header coverage this week.
Viewers can stream the race via NOW, with a flexible, no‑contract subscription that can be cancelled at any time. This arrangement ensures fans have easy access to the high‑octane action in Baku, where McLaren hopes their latest upgrades and the reinstated H‑Wing will give them the extra edge needed to challenge for the top step of the podium.