Sports · Motorsport · 2 hrs ago
McLaren brings upgrades to Brazil GP with 2027 car in mind
McLaren will bring new upgrades to its MCL40 at the Brazil Grand Prix this weekend.
The changes include parts for the front wing, rear wing and floor, with the front-wing concept expected to carry over to its 2027 car.
The team had moved to the front after a major update in Hungary, but has since fallen back despite adding more parts.
The upgrades are meant to improve performance in the remaining races and help McLaren fight Red Bull for third in the championship.
McLaren is 17 points behind Red Bull and has scored 59 points to Red Bull’s 152 over the last five rounds.
The team says it hopes the changes will help it move closer to the front at a circuit that has suited it before.
McLaren will bring upgrades to its MCL40 to this weekend’s Brazil Grand Prix, including a front-wing concept expected to carry over to its 2027 car.
The package also includes changes to the rear wing and floor.
McLaren says the upgrades are intended to improve performance in the remaining races and support its fight for third in the championship.
The team is 17 points behind third-placed Red Bull and has scored 59 points to Red Bull’s 152 across the last five rounds.
McLaren had the fourth-quickest car in the last four qualifying sessions, averaging 0.511 seconds behind pole position.
- Who
- McLaren, the Formula 1 team.
- What
- It will introduce upgrades to its MCL40, including a front-wing concept expected to feature on its 2027 car.
- When
- This weekend, at the Brazil Grand Prix.
- Where
- The Brazil Grand Prix at the Sao Paulo circuit.
- Why
- The upgrades aim to improve McLaren’s performance in the remaining races and inform development of its 2027 car.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
McLaren substantially updated the MCL40, and Lando Norris won the race and the following race at Zandvoort.
McLaren introduced another comprehensive upgrade package.
McLaren added further new parts.
Norris finished fifth, 12 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen.
McLaren plans to introduce upgrades, including the new front-wing concept, at the Brazil Grand Prix.
- Car
- MCL40
- Brazil Grand Prix
- Sao Paulo circuit
- Front-wing concept
- Expected to feature on McLaren’s 2027 challenger
- Championship gap
- McLaren trails third-placed Red Bull by 17 points
- Last five rounds
- McLaren scored 59 points; Red Bull scored 152
- Qualifying pace
- Fourth-quickest in the last four sessions; average deficit to pole was 0.511 seconds
3 sources
What people are saying
The season isn't over yet: these upgrades are designed to improve the car now and help us in our fight for third in the championship.
While the learning we take from these upgrades will feed into next year’s development, we also expect to carry over the concept of the new front wing into the launch specification of next year’s car.
If we look at Baku and stuff, I think we're still going to be struggling for pace.
We know what we need to improve on, it just takes time, and hopefully we can have a better day in Brazil.