McLaren has put the evaluation of its new low‑drag rear wing on hold, delaying any on‑track trials until after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The component, inspired by Ferrari’s Macarena concept first seen on the SF‑26, was slated for Lando Norris’s car during Austrian practice but was deemed insufficiently developed for race conditions in the current 2024 season overall.

Unlike the conventional DRS that pulls the flap flat, the Macarena actuator rotates the entire upper element, promising a larger drag reduction but demanding robust hydraulics. Norris admitted the team must “iron it out” and warned that any failure would waste precious practice time. A hydraulic leak already delayed his Austrian run, underscoring the risk of premature deployment during testing.

McLaren’s cautious approach reflects its midfield position, trailing Mercedes and Ferrari in the constructors’ fight. With Norris sitting a distant fifth, sacrificing practice laps for a potentially marginal gain could backfire. The team expects to resume trials on the Macarena wing at the Belgian Grand Prix, where a longer sprint‑free weekend offers a safer evaluation window for the team.