McLaren's 2026 resurgence continued with a Hungary upgrade featuring a revised floor and front wing, giving Lando Norris his and the team's first grand prix win of the season. However, the squad remains 159 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' championship, with Norris fifth and Oscar Piastri seventh in the drivers' standings.

Technical director Neil Houldey attributed the sluggish start to a late 2025 title fight with Max Verstappen and Red Bull while developing the 2026 car. Unlike rivals who switched early to 2027, McLaren plans major upgrades late into the season, believing track learning carries over despite the 2027 challenger featuring a longer wheelbase, changed suspension layout, and a 300mm shorter front bib.

Houldey emphasized that stopping development early would push the team into a "theoretical world." McLaren has also adopted innovations like Ferrari's upside-down rear wing, noting the 2026 regulations offer more aerodynamic freedom than initially assumed, with sidepod concepts still unconverged across the grid.