The McLaren team is gearing up for the upcoming Round 21 Las Vegas Grand Prix at the Las Vegas Street Circuit by bringing a fresh package of upgrades for the MCL40 car. This aggressive step is not only aimed at securing strong results in the final stages of the 2026 racing calendar but also serves as a crucial foundation for next year's challenger.
Team principal Andrea Stella revealed that these new components will complement the new front-wheel concept wing previously tested at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos. The introduction of those parts successfully boosted driveability and predictability, ultimately guiding Lando Norris back to victory lane in wet conditions and ending a five-round podium-less streak for the Woking-based squad.
"After the upgrades in Hungary, it was encouraging that we were in a position to win – we should have won Madrid, really," Stella said, referring to the unfortunate timing of the Virtual Safety Car at the Circuito de Madring. "But after that, other people took upgrades and we lost this position. I think we also paid the price of not having had great qualifying sessions."
Despite showing signs of a performance revival in the wet conditions at Interlagos, McLaren's historical track record in Las Vegas has been far from smooth. From heavy crashes on lap three in past editions to the rear skid block wear issues that led to disqualifications last season, the high-speed Nevada street circuit consistently poses a severe test for the papaya outfit.
The characteristics of the Las Vegas layout, featuring a nearly 2km straight along the Strip, are not necessarily expected to play into the strengths of the MCL40. With gear ratios that may not be fully optimized for extreme top-speed demands—similar to issues faced earlier at Autodromo Nazionale Monza and the Baku City Circuit—Andrea Stella maintains a pragmatic yet optimistic stance heading into the weekend.
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