McLaren Awaits FIA Approval for Game-Changing Aerodynamic Upgrade

The 2026 Formula 1 season has seen McLaren steadily claw their way back into contention. After a challenging start to the year, the defending champions took a noticeable step forward at Suzuka, where Oscar Piastri came close to victory. By the time the paddock arrived at the Miami Grand Prix, it was evident that McLaren—alongside Ferrari and Red Bull—had significantly closed the gap to the dominant Mercedes squad.

Closing the Gap in Miami

While they could not replicate that ultimate success on Sunday—with Kimi Antonelli keeping Mercedes' 100% win streak alive in 2026—the progress is undeniable. Norris suggested that McLaren gained seven tenths on Mercedes in Miami, but he also noted that the team is still weak in high-speed areas.

The Secret Aerodynamic Weapon

Behind the scenes, the team will be working hard to close the gap even further. According to journalist Julianne Cerasoli, who reported on her YouTube channel, McLaren is preparing to bring a new aerodynamic upgrade that could fundamentally alter the competitive order.

While she could not detail exactly what the innovation is, Cerasoli claims it is something that will put them ahead of Mercedes, pending FIA approval.

"It’s possible, but even so, McLaren’s assessment is that they’re still a little way off catching up with Mercedes. It happens. That’s the important part of the answer," Cerasoli explained. "They’re talking a lot, very confidently, saying, look, we’ve got more stuff for Canada and more stuff also coming to Monaco and coming to Barcelona."

The crux of the matter lies in the legality of this new component. "What I’ve gathered is that they have something, and I just haven’t managed to get to the bottom of what that thing is, but it’s something that’s in the FIA’s hands, to see whether the FIA approves or not, an aerodynamic change they have," she added. "If they approve it, if the FIA considers McLaren’s solution to be legal, it’s the kind of thing that will put them ahead of the pack. It’s a big deal. So let’s see if McLaren comes up with some ingenious innovation at the next race in Canada."

Can McLaren Still Win the 2026 Championship?

Despite their recent surge, McLaren knows that they are not quite on Mercedes’ level in 2026. However, with 18 races to go, there are several opportunities for the outfit to regain the advantage.

Currently, Norris sits fourth in the standings, 49 points behind Antonelli. Piastri is another eight points back in sixth. While it sounds like a big margin, there is enough time to bridge the gap.

In the constructors' championship, McLaren currently sits 86 points behind Mercedes. Zak Brown firmly believes McLaren can still win titles in 2026. It is a tough ask at the moment, but if the FIA deems their aerodynamic upgrade to be legal, it could change the whole picture.