Confirmed
McLaren confirms further Dutch GP upgrades
McLaren will introduce additional rear-end aerodynamic upgrades at the Dutch Grand Prix, building on its Hungarian GP package.
McLaren Confirms Dutch Grand Prix Upgrades
McLaren Racing has confirmed plans to introduce a further aerodynamic upgrade package for its MCL40 car at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. This development aims to build upon the momentum gained from Lando Norris's victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the team's first win of the 2026 season.
The upgrades are specifically concentrated on the car’s rear, intended to complement the substantial package previously unveiled at the Hungaroring. This strategic enhancement includes a new rear wing and revised rear brake ducts, as detailed in McLaren's official weekend preview.
Strategic Development Path Continues
McLaren’s technical director for applied engineering, Neil Houldey, articulated the team's ongoing development pathway, highlighting the crucial need to validate these new components rapidly. The objective is to comprehend their contribution to overall performance throughout the Dutch GP weekend, thereby maximizing every available opportunity, according to Crash.net.
The team’s official statement indicated that these parts will focus on the rear side to complete the package initiated in Hungary, according to Crash.net. This approach reflects a sustained effort to extract greater performance from the MCL40, addressing insights gathered during the first part of the season concerning car dynamics and earlier performance limitations.
Competitive Landscape and Performance Expectations
Lando Norris secured his first victory of the 2026 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where McLaren notably introduced a significant upgrade package, including its version of the ‘Macarena’ rear wing. Norris won that race from Max Verstappen, finishing 15.080 seconds ahead.
Despite this recent success, McLaren acknowledges the intense competition within Formula 1. Houldey emphasized that other teams are also expected to bring developments to Zandvoort, underscoring the demanding nature of the event. The team’s primary focus remains on optimizing the car’s performance and executing effectively to contend with the leading competitors.
Season Context and Finnish Interest
McLaren arrives in Zandvoort with Norris currently fifth in the Drivers' Championship with 128 points, trailing championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli by 91 points. Oscar Piastri is eighth with 92 points. Valtteri Bottas, the Finnish driver for Sauber, is currently 21st in the standings with 0 points after 11 rounds.
The Dutch Grand Prix marks the next round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the first session scheduled for Friday, August 21st, at 13:30 Finnish time. McLaren has a strong recent history at Zandvoort, with Piastri winning in 2025 and Norris securing victory in 2024.
Status And Sources
This story is labelled Confirmed, which means the people involved have said this on the record. The rules behind those labels are in the editorial policy, and the desk that published it is Eero Lahtinen.
Written from the following reporting. Each link goes to the newsroom's own page, not to an aggregator:
- Crash.netcrash.net
