New aerodynamic parts will be evaluated during Friday practice, while the H-Wing first raced at Monza will return. Its drag-reduction benefits could prove particularly useful along Baku’s enormous flat-out section towards Turn 1.
Chief Technical Officer Rob Marshall explained: “Baku is a circuit of extremes, combining the longest straight in Formula 1 with some of the slowest corners, so there are significant compromises to manage.
“Straight Mode gives every team greater scope to run a low-drag car on the straights while retaining downforce through the corners, but the challenge remains the same: bring the best design and set-up choices, then execute them cleanly on track.”
McLaren still learning about the MCL40
Baku provides another very different examination of McLaren’s development direction. The 6.003km street circuit mixes slow corners around the Old City with heavy braking and sustained high-speed running.
Marshall admitted McLaren still cannot completely predict where the MCL40 will sit in the competitive order: “We are still learning about these cars at every event, and we have both overperformed and underperformed against our expectations at different races this season.
“Baku will provide another valuable test of the MCL40 across a very different range of characteristics. 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.”
That challenge will be compounded by Baku’s unforgiving walls. Any mistake can cost valuable running while also forcing the team into extensive repairs.
Motivation to keep developing the car high
Marshall added: “Operationally, there is very little margin for error on a tight street circuit. A small mistake can lead to significant repairs, lost track time and resources being diverted away from performance, so confidence, precision and disciplined execution will be essential throughout the weekend.”
Despite development already beginning to overlap with preparations for 2027, McLaren have no intention of easing their push with nine rounds of the 2026 season remaining, Marshall said: “With regulatory continuity into next season and the competition at the front so close, our motivation to keep developing the car remains high.
“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,” added Marshall.
McLaren expect all four leading teams to have victory potential in Azerbaijan, making execution as important as outright pace around one of Formula 1’s least forgiving venues.