McLaren have officially confirmed that they will bring a fresh batch of upgrades to the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, and they are forecasting a tightly contested four‑way fight for the win against the usual suspects – Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. After a long winless stretch that saw the reigning Constructors' Champions miss out on victory in the first ten rounds of the 2026 season, the British outfit appears to have found its rhythm again. Lando Norris has secured three pole positions in the last four events, and his only missed opportunity for a third win came as a result of an ill‑timed virtual safety car during the previous race in Madrid, which disrupted his race strategy at a crucial moment.
The team’s resurgence can be largely credited to a relentless development programme. Throughout the season, McLaren have introduced a steady stream of components to the MCL40, and these incremental improvements have played a pivotal role in thrusting the squad back into the mix for podiums and potential victories.
In their official preview for the Baku weekend – a race that this year will be held on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – McLaren disclosed that several new parts will be fitted to the car, and that the rotating "H‑Wing" element, which was omitted for the Madrid round, will make a comeback. The H‑Wing, first seen in action at Monza, is designed to reduce drag on circuits with long straights, a characteristic that makes it especially relevant for Baku’s famously lengthy main straight. "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 rationale behind the upgrades. Even though McLaren's chances of clinching the championship have become increasingly slim – with Kimi Antonelli dominating the Drivers' Championship and his Mercedes team holding a comfortable lead in the Constructors' standings – the team remains 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 City Circuit presents a unique set of challenges that are likely to amplify the on‑track drama. It boasts the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar, stretching over 2.2 kilometres, and is interspersed with a series of tight, low‑speed corners that test a car's mechanical grip and a driver's precision.
Marshall believes these contrasting sections will produce 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." He continued, "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." This confidence reflects McLaren's belief that the new aerodynamic tweaks, combined with the re‑introduction of the H‑Wing, will give them a tangible advantage on the high‑speed straight while still preserving the downforce needed for the twisty sections. The weekend schedule is packed with support series and practice sessions. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference will kick off at 11:00 am, followed by the paddock uncut at 2:00 pm. Thursday sees the start of Formula 2 practice at 6:55 am, with the Azerbaijan GP practice one beginning at 9:30 am, then F2 qualifying later in the morning, and the team bosses' press conference at noon.
The second practice session for the Grand Prix starts at 1:00 pm, with the F1 Show slated for 2:15 pm. Friday's agenda includes the F2 sprint, the third practice session for the GP at 9:30 am, the F2 feature race, and finally the crucial qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which will take place at 1:00 pm, accompanied by Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm.
Saturday's program features the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, the Grand Prix start at 10:30 am, and post‑race analysis throughout the afternoon. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available via NOW – a contract‑free service that can be cancelled at any time. Overall, McLaren are entering Baku with a clear objective: to translate their development gains into tangible on‑track results and to prove that they can still challenge for wins despite the championship hierarchy being heavily skewed toward Mercedes and Red Bull.
The combination of aerodynamic upgrades, the strategic use of the H‑Wing, and a focused approach to energy and tyre management could see the MCL40 rise to the occasion on Baku's demanding layout. If the team can execute their plan flawlessly, they may well emerge as one of the four contenders capable of taking the checkered flag in what promises to be an exhilarating race weekend.