McLaren's three 'essentials' for Norris and Piastri in Baku

McLaren has set three non-negotiables for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Baku: confidence, precision and disciplined execution. The team brings a significant aero upgrade to the MCL40, focused on floor and rear-tyre airflow to improve balance on the long straights.

Why it matters:

Baku combines the longest straight in F1 with some of the slowest corners, leaving no room for error. With the front so tight, McLaren expects any of the top four teams to win, making clean execution vital.

The details:

• Aero upgrade: The new package targets floor and rear-tyre airflow to aid balance through straights and slow corners.
• Technical challenge: Energy management, tyre and brake management are crucial. Cars hit Turn 1 after the long straight with tyres and brakes relatively cold, making the braking zone from 320 km/h to 120 km/h even trickier.
• Operational margin: A small mistake can lead to significant repairs, lost track time and resources diverted away from performance.
• Last year: Piastri crashed in qualifying, triggering one of a record six red flags.

The big picture:

McLaren is still learning about the MCL40, having both overperformed and underperformed against expectations this season. With regulatory continuity into next year, the team must balance development between the current car and the 2027 project. But the immediate focus is on delivering more performance and fighting for more victories in 2026.

What's next:

Baku provides another valuable test of the MCL40. As Rob Marshall said, "confidence, precision and disciplined execution will be essential throughout the weekend." McLaren hopes to be firmly in the fight at the front.