McLaren brings MCL40 upgrades to challenging Las Vegas

McLaren will bring further upgrades for its MCL40 to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the new parts intended to carry development forward into 2027. The team is seeking to turn recent progress into a strong result at a circuit where it has repeatedly struggled.

A 2027 front-wing concept introduced in São Paulo formed part of McLaren’s recent development push. At Interlagos, Lando Norris took pole position and won in wet conditions, ending a five-round run without a podium — the team’s longest such spell since the first half of 2023.

Las Vegas has repeatedly frustrated McLaren

The team’s record in Nevada has offered little comfort. In 2023, both McLaren cars were eliminated in Q1. Oscar Piastri salvaged a point, while Norris crashed heavily on lap three.

The following year brought a quieter weekend but limited reward: McLaren qualified sixth and eighth, then finished sixth and seventh, 27 seconds behind the top five.

Last season, Norris started from pole and finished second, with Piastri fourth. But both cars were disqualified after their rear skid blocks were found to be too worn, wiping out the result.

The latest upgrades are not a guarantee that the circuit will suit the car. Team principal Andrea Stella pointed to the long straights and the team’s difficulty matching the top speed of rivals at venues such as Monza and Baku. He also identified the MCL40’s shorter gear ratios as a limitation when very high speeds are required.

Upgrades bring optimism, but not certainty

Stella said McLaren would approach the race with more confidence because the car is now faster. Las Vegas should also provide useful information about tyre use and where the MCL40 performs well — and where it falls short.

The parts arriving in Nevada will complement the development already seen in São Paulo and, according to Stella, help establish the basis for next year’s car. He said McLaren’s recent upgrades had helped put it in a position to fight for wins, although other teams’ development and qualifying setbacks had affected its results.

A São Paulo upgrade report tracked the earlier step in that programme. In Las Vegas, McLaren will have a chance to assess the next one against a demanding combination of long straights and a circuit that has rarely been kind to the team.