McLaren have confirmed they will bring more upgrades to this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where they are expecting a four-way battle for victory with Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

After failing to claim a victory in the first 10 grands prix of the season, the reigning constructors' champions have come into form, with Lando Norris claiming three pole positions at the last four races and only being denied a third win by the unfortunate timing of a virtual safety car last time out in Madrid. McLaren have once more exhibited strength in development, with regular upgrades brought to the MCL40 having played a significant part in catapulting them back into contention for victories.

The team's official preview for this weekend's race in Baku, which takes place on Saturday rather than the usual Sunday slot, revealed there will be new parts, and that their rotating 'H-Wing' will return to the car after not being used in Madrid.

"As part of the team's continued journey throughout the 2026 season, the team will bring to Baku a set of upgrades aimed to improve the aerodynamic performance of the MCL40," the team said. "Additionally the H-Wing, that debuted in Monza, will be back in action on a track where the drag reduction can be a factor."

McLaren chief technical officer and chief designer Rob Marshall explained the team are keen to continue their development push despite their title hopes being extremely thin, with Kimi Antonelli dominating the Drivers' Championship and his Mercedes team well clear in the constructors' standings.

"With regulatory continuity into next season and the competition at the front so close, our motivation to keep developing the car remains high," Marshall said. "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."

The Baku circuit, which features the longest straight on the F1 calendar alongside several slow corners, creates a challenge that Marshall expects to create entertaining competition between the top teams.

"Baku will provide another valuable test of the MCL40 across a very different range of characteristics," Marshall added. "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."