McLaren leads Baku upgrade rush with eight-part package
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 24, 2026
McLaren upgrade package
McLaren brought the deepest upgrade package to Baku, and every part pointed at the same goal, better airflow and more speed on a circuit where top speed and aerodynamic efficiency matter most. The team listed eight changes in all, starting with revised sidepod intakes and engine cover work, then moving through changes to the cooling layout, outlet louvres and a triangular airbox intake. McLaren also added a new floor edge and diffuser layout, two pieces that can shape how the car manages air underneath the chassis and around the rear of the car. The final item in the package was a rear wing change aimed at reducing drag in Straight Mode, a clear sign that McLaren went after straight-line performance as well as overall efficiency. The scale of the update set made McLaren one of the main talking points of the weekend before the cars even turned a wheel in anger. At Baku, where long straights reward low drag and the twisting sections still demand stable aero balance, the package gave McLaren a broad set of tools to chase lap time.
Red Bull changes
Red Bull answered with five updates of its own on the RB22, covering the floor body, diffuser, sidepod, mirrors and Halo. That spread touched both the car’s aerodynamic surfaces and its upper structure, giving the team a mix of performance and practical changes. One of the parts was introduced for reliability reasons, which showed Red Bull did more than chase downforce and drag reduction. It also made room for a fix that could help the team get through the weekend with less risk. Williams took a more focused route with updates to the FW48, including an updated floor, new tail geometry and revised rear brake duct furniture. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon both sounded cautious about how much the package would change Williams’ performance relative to its rivals, which put a measured tone around the team’s work. The updates gave Williams a meaningful list of changes, but the reaction from both drivers suggested the team wanted proof on track before drawing any big conclusions about the gains.
Audi and the field
Audi brought the largest single haul of new parts outside McLaren, with 14 for its R26. That made Audi one of the busiest teams in the upgrade order for Baku and showed how heavily it leaned into the weekend. Racing Bulls and Cadillac also added smaller upgrade sets, taking a more selective approach than the teams with bigger packages. On the other side of the ledger, Mercedes, Ferrari, Alpine, Haas and Aston Martin listed no new parts for the weekend. The spread across the field told a clear story about how teams viewed Baku. Some chased the track’s demands with extensive updates, others came with smaller revisions and several stayed put. In a place where top speed and aerodynamic efficiency carry extra weight, the upgrade list mattered as much as any early-session lap time. McLaren led the way with the most complete package, Red Bull and Williams answered with targeted changes and Audi pushed a large batch of new parts onto the car. The rest of the grid took a quieter path, at least on the official list.
