McLaren is preparing a dual-purpose upgrade push for the final stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season, aiming to close the performance gap to its rivals while testing fundamental concepts for its 2027 challenger. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the updates will arrive in phases across the next three rounds, giving the team opportunities to evaluate the package at circuits with different characteristics.
Key Highlights
- McLaren’s final upgrades will be introduced across the Austin, Mexico City and Sao Paulo Grands Prix.
- The updates aim to help McLaren close the gap to the front-running teams and compete for podiums on merit.
- The team will use the final rounds to test fundamental aerodynamic concepts that could shape its 2027 F1 car.
- Red Bull sits just seven points behind McLaren after the Singapore GP, while Ferrari holds second place with a 105-point advantage over the Woking-based team.
McLaren Plans Three-Round Upgrade Push
Following the Singapore Grand Prix, Stella outlined McLaren’s plan to roll out its final upgrades over the next three rounds: Austin, Mexico City and Sao Paulo. Testing the package at circuits with different characteristics will help the team assess how effectively the changes perform across varying conditions.
The immediate priority is to strengthen McLaren’s position in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship. Stella hopes the upgrades will reduce the gap to the fastest cars and put the team in a position to fight for podium finishes on merit. However, he cautioned that victories may remain difficult to achieve, with the full impact of the phased updates likely to become clearer during the final three races.
Upgrades Also Target McLaren’s 2027 F1 Car
Beyond its immediate championship objectives, McLaren intends to use the remaining races to evaluate concepts that could influence the design of its 2027 Formula 1 car. Stella explained that aerodynamic development has become increasingly complex after nearly two years of work on the current generation of cars. At this stage, some concepts may deliver the expected gains, while others could prove less effective when tested on track.
By evaluating these ideas during race weekends, McLaren hopes to establish which fundamental approaches are worth carrying into its next car design. The timing also gives the team an opportunity to pursue two objectives at once: improve its competitiveness in 2026 and gather valuable data for the next season.
Red Bull Threatens McLaren’s Third Place
McLaren’s late-season push comes as its position in the Constructors’ Championship faces increasing pressure from Red Bull. Following the Singapore GP, Red Bull had closed to within seven points of McLaren, putting third place under threat.
Ferrari remains second, sitting 105 points ahead of McLaren. With a maximum of 258 points still available, the remaining rounds could yet influence the final standings, although the uncertainty surrounding the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix amid the ongoing war in Iran adds another complication to the season’s conclusion.
For McLaren, the final upgrades therefore carry significance beyond next year’s development programme. They could prove crucial in its effort to remain ahead of Red Bull while narrowing the gap to the teams at the front.
