McLaren to test 2027 car ideas with final 2026 upgrades

After the Singapore Grand Prix, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said the team’s final 2026 upgrades would serve two purposes: supporting its fight in the constructors’ championship and testing fundamental concepts for the 2027 car. The updates are due in phases over the next three rounds — Austin, Mexico City and São Paulo — giving McLaren tracks with different characteristics on which to assess the full package.

McLaren was third in the constructors’ standings after Singapore, with Red Bull seven points behind. Stella hopes the changes will close the gap to the leading cars and put McLaren in position to fight for podiums on merit. Whether the team can also fight for wins should become clearer over the final three races, he said.

McLaren also wants to track-test ideas intended to underpin its 2027 car. Stella said the current cars’ aerodynamic development had become increasingly complex after roughly two years, with some concepts able to work and others not.