After starting the 2026 season with difficulties, McLaren has begun to show signs of recovery, making it clear that the team intends to continue developing its current car despite the 2027 project they already had in mind.
The new updates introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix, featuring a new floor design and an improved version of the front wing, have confirmed the effectiveness of this season’s upgrade strategy. Driver Lando Norris has secured the team’s first victory in the championship thanks to this upgrade package, which aligns with the good trend the team showed throughout previous seasons.
Despite the victory, McLaren acknowledges that its season start has been more complicated than expected, lagging far behind in the standings compared to the leading team, Mercedes. Norris currently occupies fifth place in the drivers’ championship, while his teammate Oscar Piastri is seventh.
Neil Houldey, McLaren’s technical director, has explained that the delay in their performance can be attributed to the difficulties experienced in the last months of the previous championship, where they had to face an unexpected challenge from Max Verstappen of Red Bull. “We lasted in the development of the car until the end of last season, which has left us a bit on the defensive compared to other teams”.
Although McLaren will begin thinking about the 2027 car, Houldey is confident that continuing to update the current car will yield benefits next year. This is due to the changes in regulations that will affect aspects such as the design of the front part of the floor, which will be 300 mm shorter.
According to Houldey, “we do not want to stop the development of 2026, because we know that everything we learn now will be useful when we introduce the new car”. As the season progresses, McLaren expects to implement significant updates and continue improving its performance to better face the upcoming season.
The team is also keenly observing the innovations of its rivals, including the design of the new inverted rear wing recently tested by Ferrari. This has resulted in a reevaluation of the opportunities offered by the new regulations, which allow more freedom in car design compared to previous years.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
