McLaren brings 2027 front-wing concept to São Paulo

McLaren will bring a new front-wing concept to this weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix, alongside further changes to its MCL40. The team expects the front-wing idea to feature on its 2027 car, while the full package is also intended to improve performance in the remaining races of this season.

The updates will cover the front wing, rear wing and parts of the floor. McLaren’s chief technical officer for aerodynamics, Peter Prodromou, said the work is part of the team’s regular development programme and is aimed at closing the gap to its rivals.

McLaren targets immediate gains and a longer-term benefit

Prodromou said Interlagos offers a useful test for the upgrades, describing it as a representative circuit where McLaren has performed well previously. The team hopes the changes will move it closer to the front and help build momentum into next year.

The 2026 development push is not being treated solely as preparation for the next car. McLaren is still pursuing third place in the constructors’ standings, and Prodromou stressed that the new parts are designed to help the MCL40 now. The knowledge gained from them will also inform development for 2027, with the front-wing concept expected to carry over to next year’s launch specification.

The approach echoes McLaren’s stated plan to use its final 2026 upgrades to shape next year’s car.

Recent results underline the scale of the challenge

McLaren moved to the front after a major MCL40 update in Hungary, where Lando Norris won before taking another victory at Zandvoort. Its form has since weakened despite a substantial package in Baku and additional parts in Austin.

Across the last four qualifying sessions, McLaren had the fourth-fastest car on average. It was 0.511 seconds off pole and 0.236 seconds behind the third-fastest car. The team is 17 points behind third-placed Red Bull, and has scored 59 points to Red Bull’s 152 over the last five rounds.

Norris finished fifth in Mexico, 12 seconds behind winner Max Verstappen, but cautioned that the result did not mean McLaren would automatically be competitive at circuits where it had struggled. He said the team knows where the car needs to improve, while adding that making those changes takes time. His outlook reflects the wider effort to keep progress moving through a difficult season, as explored in our report on Norris backing McLaren’s progress.