# McLaren Deploys Four-Part Aerodynamic Upgrade Package for Sao Paulo Grand Prix Lando Norris remains cautious about handling improvements despite McLaren's significant technical updates in Brazil. - **Source:** [Sky Sports – F1](https://www.skysports.com/f1) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9e0b9cb7-f135-461f-a896-f0071205bee6 ## Strategic Technical Overhaul McLaren has introduced a comprehensive four-part aerodynamic upgrade package for the MCL40 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The updates include a new front wing, rear wing, beam wing, and floor modifications. These changes aim to enhance overall aerodynamic efficiency as the team fights to maintain third in the Constructors' Championship. ## Future-Focused Wing Design The new front wing design serves as a conceptual test for the 2027 Formula 1 season. McLaren intends for this component to improve airflow across the entire car, potentially unlocking additional performance. Engineers hope this forward-looking design will help the team extract more aerodynamic load from the current vehicle's existing package. ## Optimizing Rear Aerodynamics The team developed a specific rear wing assembly and a new beam wing to address the unique demands of the Interlagos circuit. These components are designed to work in tandem to optimize the balance between downforce generation and drag reduction, ensuring the car remains competitive across varying track conditions this weekend. ## Norris Expresses Handling Skepticism Lando Norris remains uncertain whether these upgrades will resolve the 'horrible' handling issues that have plagued the MCL40 throughout the season. While acknowledging the engineers' hard work, he noted that previous updates have not made the car easier to drive, despite theoretically increasing performance and improving lap times during recent sessions. ## Competitive Development Gap Norris attributes McLaren's recent lack of contention for race victories to being outdeveloped by rivals like Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari. He believes these teams have brought more effective upgrades in recent months, causing McLaren to drift away from the front of the grid after their strong mid-season performance in Budapest. ## Resource Allocation Trade-offs McLaren's current performance struggles are partly linked to prioritizing last year's championship efforts over early 2026 development. Norris defended this sacrifice, stating that winning titles was a priority. The team now faces the challenge of catching up while other manufacturers benefit from their own power units and earlier regulation focus. ## Customer Team Disadvantages As a customer team to Mercedes, McLaren faced significant hurdles early this season due to the complexity of new power units. Norris explained that even with identical chassis performance, the integration advantages held by factory teams like Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari created a difficult competitive environment throughout the current campaign. ## Evaluating Performance Gains Friday's practice sessions at Interlagos will provide the first real-world data on how these four components interact. While the floor modification is relatively minor, the combined package represents a substantial effort to close the gap. The team's success depends on whether these parts function cohesively to improve the car's overall characteristics. ## Sources covering this story - [Sky Sports – F1 — Norris Skeptical of McLaren Upgrades for Sao Paulo Grand Prix](https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13607894/lando-norris-mclaren-driver-unsure-if-sao-paulo-grand-prix-upgrades-will-improve-horrible-mclaren-car) - [Source — McLaren Unveils Four-Part Aerodynamic Upgrade for Brazil Grand Prix](https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1109390/1/mclaren-reveals-major-upgrade-package-brazil-gp) - [Autosport — McLaren Reveals Brazilian GP Aero Updates Targeting 2027 Development](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mclarens-updates-for-f1-brazilian-gp-revealed-with-eye-on-2027/10872158/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=RSS-ALL&utm_term=News&utm_content=uk) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._