McLaren Holds Firm on No MCL39 Upgrades Amid Verstappen's Surge

McLaren is not planning any further upgrades for the MCL39 this season, despite Max Verstappen and Red Bull's late-year charge in the 2025 Formula 1 title fight. Team principal Andrea Stella believes Lando Norris had the pace to win the US Grand Prix and that McLaren can contend for the championship by optimizing their current package and focusing on execution.

Why it matters:

McLaren's decision to halt development on the MCL39 is a significant gamble, especially as Red Bull, with recent upgrades, appears to be gaining momentum. This strategy suggests a long-term focus on the 2026 regulation changes, but it also places immense pressure on the team to extract maximum performance from their current car through setup and race execution to secure the 2025 championship.

The Details:

• Verstappen's Dominance: Max Verstappen's commanding performance at the US Grand Prix, winning qualifying, the Sprint, and the main race, has significantly narrowed the championship gap. He is now only 40 points behind leader Oscar Piastri, with Lando Norris 26 points ahead of Verstappen.
• Norris's Pace: Despite the result, Andrea Stella asserted that Lando Norris possessed the pace to win the US Grand Prix, suggesting that a strong fight with Charles Leclerc at the start and a minor setup deficit prevented a victory.
  • Stella explained that not participating in the Sprint Race left them slightly disadvantaged from a setup perspective, indicating there was more performance to be extracted from the car.
• No Further Upgrades: Stella unequivocally stated that there would be no new upgrades or parts introduced for the MCL39 for the remainder of the season.

The Big Picture:

This strategic choice by McLaren indicates a shift in focus. With the Constructors' title already secured and radical new regulations slated for 2026, McLaren seems to be prioritizing resource allocation towards the next generation of cars rather than incremental gains on a championship-caliber but outgoing design. This contrasts sharply with Red Bull, who recently introduced upgrades to iron out wrinkles in their RB21.

What's next:

McLaren's immediate future hinges on its ability to maximize the performance of the existing MCL39. The team will rely on meticulous setup adjustments, flawless race-day execution, and strong starts from Norris and Piastri to fend off Verstappen's resurgence without the aid of new hardware. This approach sets up a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 season, where strategic foresight will be tested against on-track performance and Red Bull's relentless pursuit of the title.