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McLaren will introduce upgrades to its MCL40 at Formula 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the new parts labelled as the foundation for next year’s car. The team recently launched its 2027 front wing concept in Brazil, where Lando Norris clinched pole position and victory in wet conditions.
Upgrades and Development Trajectory
Team principal Andrea Stella described the recent improvements as beneficial for driveability and predictability, helping end a five-round podium-less streak that marked the squad’s worst run since the first half of the 2023 campaign. Stella noted that after upgrades in Hungary, the team was in a position to win and should have won in Madrid, though other competitors subsequently introduced upgrades that shifted the competitive balance.
According to Stella, the new parts arriving in Vegas will complement previous developments and establish the foundation for next year’s car. He stated that it is encouraging for McLaren’s trajectory to successfully transform development into on-track performance.
Past Struggles in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has historically presented significant challenges for the team. In 2023, both cars were eliminated in Q1, with Oscar Piastri scoring a single point and Norris crashing heavily on lap three. The following year, the team qualified sixth and eighth, finishing sixth and seventh in the race, 27 seconds behind the top five.
Last season, Norris secured pole position while he and Piastri finished second and fourth, but both cars were ultimately disqualified because the MCL39s’ rearmost skid blocks were excessively worn.
Expectations for the Upcoming Race
Given the layout of the Nevadan track and its near-2km Strip portion, Stella does not necessarily expect the circuit to favour McLaren. He pointed out that previous events in Monza and Baku demonstrated that when top speed is required, McLaren is not always the strongest car due to shorter gear ratios that prove non-ideal at higher top speeds.
Despite these layout challenges, Stella approaches the event with optimism because the car is currently faster. He explained that the race will provide valuable data on tyre usage and vehicle performance, serving as information to capitalise on while aiming for a strong result to finally find peace with the venue.
