McLaren Explains Why 'Macarena' Rear Wing Test Was Abandoned in Austria

McLaren technical director Neil Houldey confirmed the team abandoned plans to run its version of the 'Macarena' rear wing during Austrian Grand Prix practice after the concept failed its final garage sign-off. The team had hoped to evaluate the rotating flap, similar to Ferrari's solution, with Lando Norris in Friday's opening session, but reverted to its established specification.

Why it matters:

The 'Macarena' wing represents a significant aerodynamic innovation that could unlock extra performance if implemented successfully. With McLaren locked in a tight 2026 championship battle, rapidly validating aggressive concepts is critical to maintaining development momentum against Ferrari and Mercedes.

The details:

• McLaren intended a brief FP1 evaluation with Norris at the Red Bull Ring, viewing Austria as an ideal test opportunity.
• After final sign-off checks, engineers found the wing did not actuate or respond as required once fitted to the car.
• Rather than burning session time on a development item, the team reverted to its proven rear wing and prioritized weekend performance.
• The call appeared justified when both Norris and Oscar Piastri showed strong pace in FP2 with the standard package, finishing inside the top three.

What's next:

The wing heads back to the factory for further refinement before another track appearance. Houldey noted the team gathered useful lessons from the garage evaluation and will only return the concept once its actuation behavior meets expectations. For now, the focus shifts to maximizing points from Austria with the proven specification.