F1: McLaren brings biggest update package to Monaco

Formula 1 arrives at the Monaco GP with McLaren leading the development race among the teams. After narrowing the gap to Mercedes in recent rounds, the British team presented the largest upgrade package on the grid for the sixth round of the 2026 season.

Documents released by the FIA show that McLaren introduced six modifications to the MCL40 for the Monte Carlo weekend. The novelties include an enlarged engine cover to improve cooling, specific changes to the front suspension for the street circuit, as well as revisions to the rear wing, the rear of the car, and the diffuser.

The changes also involve a new configuration of elements in the rear wing, developed for Monaco’s aerodynamic demands. According to the technical documentation, part of the updates aims to improve airflow, while others focus on reliability.

While McLaren is heavily investing in car evolution, Mercedes brought only one update for the weekend. The team introduced a new rear wing with a design that caught attention in the paddock since Thursday. Red Bull, on the other hand, presented modifications to the front, the engine cover, and the rear wing, focusing mainly on reliability. Ferrari, in turn, made specific adjustments to the front suspension, floor, and diffuser.

F1: McLaren brings biggest upgrade package to Monaco

Another technical highlight in Monaco are the new aerodynamic elements installed on the rear wings of Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren. The teams took advantage of a regulatory change that eliminates the use of active aerodynamics on this circuit and began using small additional structures on the upper part of the rear wings to generate more downforce.

The novelty became one of the most talked-about topics in the paddock and shows how teams continue to explore every detail of the regulations in search of performance, even amidst the major technical transition preceding the 2027 season.

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