McLaren's new upgrades tailored for Norris might be key for the Austrian Grand Prix

While not revealing full details, McLaren Technical Director Neil Houldey confirmed the team has introduced changes designed to improve stability on corner entry, an area Norris has highlighted in recent feedback.

“You’ll have seen changes up and down the grid in terms of rear suspension. We’ve added something we believe will offer more stability at corner entry,” Houldey said to the media including GPblog. “It’s a development area we’re continuing to evolve, especially as aero gains become harder to find.”

However, it is suggested that Piastri might not be receiving these upgrades yet as Houldey mentions "we will be running everything [the upgrades] eventually on both cars".

According to Houldey, the upgrades are not only performance-driven but also tailored to better suit Norris’ driving style.

With McLaren closing the gap to the front in recent rounds, these targeted upgrades could prove pivotal in sustaining their momentum through the summer.

Houldey went on to confirm that McLaren drivers have sampled early versions of the 2026 car in the simulator. While he stopped short of calling the feedback negative, he acknowledged the car “feels different,” with a notable shift in how it behaves on corner exits and under braking.

“The feedback is that it's different,” Houldey said. “It’s got more power on corner exits, and the way it reacts on the straights and into corners will change. But we think it’ll still offer interesting racing.”

The FIA has already made significant progress on locking in the 2026 regulations, but teams are still awaiting clarification on certain aspects — particularly around energy recovery, deployment modes, and how the car behaves in different phases of a lap.

“There are still a few mechanical points we really need to fix soon to develop in those areas,” Houldey explained. “But the things left now are more control-based — the kind that can be changed later without impacting early development.”