McLaren targets Ferrari with sweeping MCL40 upgrades for Canadian GP

After a rough start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, McLaren is on the rise. Both drivers recorded a DNS at the Chinese Grand Prix. Piastri also did not start the Australian GP due to crashing on the reconnaissance lap.

This has not stopped Piastri from securing podium finishes in the two races he has started. At the Miami GP, both McLaren drivers stood on the podium with Kimi Antonelli.

Even after finishing three fewer races than Ferrari, the Woking-based team remains close behind. McLaren is currently third in the Constructors’ standings with 94 points, only 16 points off Ferrari in second.

The Italian outfit brought 11 upgrades to Miami, but is not scheduled to bring another major upgrade until the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. McLaren, which brought seven upgrades to Miami, has confirmed it will be bringing more upgrades to the Canadian GP.

In its Canadian GP preview, McLaren said, "The competition in Miami was close, but the team secured a Sprint 1-2 and a double podium. The team is recharged after the two-weekend break from racing and is prepared to carry this momentum into the next North American round at a track favoured by many drivers.”

Norris, who secured his first podium finish of the 2026 season in Miami, shared his frustrations with the team after the race. He said, “How did we not win this? We should have won, guys." When discussing McLaren’s strategy later, he said the team did not give itself a fighting chance by allowing Antonelli to undercut them.

Despite these frustrations, the current world champion also noted, “We’ve improved such a big amount, and the fact we’re just fighting for a win, when, if you look at our pace in the races over the last couple, even though we were fighting for podiums and wins, and Oscar was, the pace and the speed we had was certainly not there. So, the fact we made such a big step this weekend is great to see, and I’m very proud of the team. And all the work that’s been put in has paid off immediately.”

In an attempt to continue upgrading the MCL40, McLaren confirmed its additions in Montréal. “As established at the beginning of the season, Miami served as the first big step in our plan to add performance to the MCL40. This continues this weekend in Montreal, with a number of new components across the floor, chassis, front and rear wings, bodywork, halo and roll hoop."

Mercedes has also confirmed it will be bringing upgrades. In its race preview, Toto Wolff said, “We bring our first update package of the year to Montréal, but we know that performance is only performance once it is delivered on track.

Reports suggest the upgrades could improve lap times by three-tenths of a second. The supposed upgrades are modifications intended to mitigate the impact of the car’s unusually large turbo setup, along with changes to the front wing and airflow management around the front suspension and underbody.

From June 1, the FIA will begin measuring engine compression ratios at both ambient and 130 °C temperatures. While Mercedes is said to have been within regulations at all times, fans are watching closely to see whether the regulation change will affect Mercedes’ performance.

Red Bull Racing is another team for McLaren to watch as they are also bringing several changes to the Canadian GP.