McLaren have confirmed they will bring a “significant upgrade package” across the upcoming double-header of races in Belgium and Hungary before Formula 1’s break.
The reigning constructors’ champions have so far made a disappointing defence of their title, falling 154 points behind leaders Mercedes after nine rounds of the season.
The team’s only podium across the last five rounds came when reigning world champion Lando Norris was third in Barcelona, with McLaren largely unable to match the pace of Mercedes and Ferrari.
However, there is reason for hope for Norris and his team-mate Oscar Piastri, with the team confirming in their official preview ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix that new parts are coming.
The team said: “As part of the MCL40’s development pathway, this weekend will see the introduction of a new rear wing which will be tested and evaluated in Friday’s practice sessions at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
“Both MCL40 race cars will also be fitted with a new ICE unit, the third of the season, supplied by Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains that includes some different specifications introduced in order to improve the reliability.
“These made their debut with the works team at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix and then with the other two customer teams at Silverstone.”
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Highlights from the 2026 British Grand Prix
While McLaren will hope for some upturn in Belgium from the new rear wing and power unit, there would appear to be greater hope tied to the more “significant” car upgrades coming in Hungary a week later.
The preview continued: “The team arrives in Belgium fully focused on unlocking the car’s absolute potential before a significant upgrade package is introduced for the Hungarian Grand Prix later this month.”
McLaren technical director for applied engineering, Neil Houldey, warned that the team aren’t “expecting any big change” in performance at Spa.
Houldey said: “We’re confident that this update will add a bit of performance to our car, but we are fully aware that after a difficult British Grand Prix, mainly in terms of pure performance, even this round won’t be that easy, so we won’t be expecting any big change in terms of competitiveness.”
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Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri take on Sky Sports F1’s karting challenge at Silverstone and then get up to some hi-jinks afterwards!
Wolff wants Mercedes to reach break on ‘stronger note’
Despite having Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at the top of the Drivers’ Championship and having built a 78-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has issued a warning to his squad ahead of the double header.
Mercedes have maintained strong pace at every race this season, but championship leader Antonelli has finished without points at two of the last three races due to technical issues.
The 19-year-old Italian retired in Barcelona after an engine failure, and then appeared to be on course to chase down Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for victory at Silverstone before a wheel-guard failure ruined his race.
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Kimi Antonelli suffers damage during the British Grand Prix
Before that, Russell had retired from the lead in Canada, also due to an engine failure.
Wolff said: “The last few races have underlined both where our strengths are and where we need to improve.
“We have a car capable of fighting at the front and scoring heavily, but we have not converted that potential into the best possible results.
“Reliability issues have cost us points, and in a championship this competitive, that is something we cannot afford. There is no value in having the pace if we don’t bring home the result.”
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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell traded a few feisty exchanges at the British Grand Prix
The back-to-back races in Belgium and Hungary are followed by a four-week break, before the season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix in late August.
Wolff added: “This is the final double header before the summer shutdown and we want to head into the break on a stronger note.
“Our aim is to execute cleanly, deliver the reliability we need, and convert the performance of the car into the points it is capable of scoring.
“We have left too much on the table recently. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen again starting this weekend.”
Sky Sports F1’s Belgian GP schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments throughout the years at the Belgian Grand Prix
Thursday July 16
2pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
5pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday July 17
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Belgian GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
3.30pm: Belgian GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday July 18
9am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Belgian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.15pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Belgian GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: BELGIAN GP QUALIFYING*
Sunday July 19
7.30am: F3 Feature Race
9am: F2 Feature Race
10.45am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Belgian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
2pm: THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
4pm: Belgian GP reaction: Chequered Flag
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1’s summer run continues with the Belgian Grand Prix at legendary Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
