McLaren will introduce a new package of upgrades to its MCL40 at this weekend’s Brazil Grand Prix, including a front-wing concept the team expects to carry over to its 2027 car. The updates also include changes to the rear wing and floor as part of the team’s regular development programme.
McLaren surged to the front after a major update in Hungary, where Lando Norris won and then repeated the feat at Zandvoort. Since then, however, the team has fallen back despite further upgrade packages in Baku and Austin. McLaren had the fourth-fastest car in each of the last four qualifying sessions, averaging 0.511 seconds behind pole and 0.236 seconds behind the third-fastest car.
Peter Prodromou, McLaren’s chief technical officer for aerodynamics, said the upgrades are intended to improve the team’s results over the remaining races and build momentum for next year. He described Sao Paulo as a representative circuit where the new parts could help McLaren move closer to the front. The updates are also designed to support the team’s bid for third in the championship.
McLaren is 17 points behind third-placed Red Bull. Across the last five rounds, it scored 59 points, compared with Red Bull’s 152. Norris finished fifth in the Mexican race, 12 seconds behind winner Max Verstappen, but said McLaren could still struggle at circuits that have exposed weaknesses in the car. He added that the team knows what it needs to improve and hopes to have a stronger weekend in Brazil.
Sources: Autosport.