McLaren have announced that they will introduce further upgrades for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and they are forecasting a 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 his only missed win came when a virtual safety car was deployed at an inopportune moment in Madrid, stripping him of a potential triumph.
The British outfit has once again demonstrated the strength of its development programme. Continuous improvements to the MCL40 have been a key factor in lifting the car back into the mix for podiums and wins. In the official preview for the Baku weekend – which, unusually, will be held on a Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday – McLaren confirmed that new components will be fitted and that the rotating "H‑Wing" element, which was omitted in Madrid, will make a return. The H‑Wing, first seen in action at Monza, is designed to reduce drag on circuits with long straights, making it a logical addition for the Baku track, which boasts the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar.
"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 their championship hopes being slim – Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship and Mercedes sit comfortably at the top of the constructors' table – McLaren remains eager to push development. "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 high‑speed and low‑speed sections. Its 6.003‑kilometre layout includes a 2.2‑kilometre straight that tests a car's top‑end speed, followed by a series of tight, twisty corners that demand mechanical grip and precise handling. Marshall expects these contrasting characteristics to produce an exciting 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." Operating on a narrow street circuit leaves little margin for error. A small mistake can result in significant damage, lost track time and a diversion of resources away from performance development. Therefore, confidence, precision and disciplined execution will be essential throughout the weekend.
"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. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference will take place at 11:00 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2:00 pm.
Thursday, September 24, begins with an early F2 practice at 6:55 am, then the Azerbaijan GP practice session at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, and the team bosses' press conference at noon. A second practice session starts at 1:00 pm, and the F1 Show airs at 2:15 pm. Friday, September 25, features the F2 sprint at 5:10 am, the third practice for the Grand Prix at 9:30 am, the F2 feature race at 11:10 am, and the build‑up to qualifying at 12:30 pm. Qualifying itself is slated for 1:00 pm, followed by Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm.
Saturday, September 26, the day of the main event, starts with the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, then the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 am. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off at 12:00 pm, with the chequered flag and post‑race reaction at 2:00 pm, and Ted's Notebook concluding the coverage at 3:00 pm.
All sessions will also be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event. This weekend marks a rare Saturday race in the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, part of a triple‑header of events that sees the Baku Grand Prix taking centre stage at midday.
Fans can watch live via Sky Sports F1, streamed through NOW with no long‑term contract required, allowing cancellation at any time. The combination of fresh aerodynamic parts, the re‑introduction of the H‑Wing, and the demanding nature of the Baku circuit sets the stage for a thrilling contest where McLaren hopes to turn their recent development gains into a race win, while also keeping an eye on the broader battle for the remainder of the season.