F1TECH: What did McLaren Montreal upgrade package include?

McLaren arrived in Montréal with the second half of its major upgrade package, completing the development cycle that began with the transformative Miami update.

The team introduced a new front wing, revised engine cover and cooling louvres, a halo winglet, updated rear wing endplates, revised rear suspension fairings, and new floor edge devices — a comprehensive aerodynamic refinement aimed at strengthening the MCL40’s performance envelope across multiple flow structures.

But while the package was extensive, the weekend also revealed the complexity of integrating such a wide set of aerodynamic changes. McLaren ultimately abandoned the new front wing after free practice, reverting to the previous specification for Sprint Qualifying, the Sprint, and Grand Prix Qualifying. The reason was simple: the wing did not deliver the expected aerodynamic behaviour within the car’s operating window.

McLaren’s Miami package delivered a clear step forward, but it was only the first half of a planned two event rollout. Montréal completed that cycle with the following components.

A completely new design intended to improve flow conditioning across the operating range and deliver more consistent aerodynamic load. McLaren’s description: “A new front wing design, aimed at better flow conditioning across the operating range resulting in improved aerodynamic load delivery.”

However, the team found during FP1 that the wing did not behave as expected. The load distribution and downstream flow structures did not match simulation targets, leading to a loss of driver confidence.

The Montreal package saw McLaren debut revised bodywork with additional cooling exits to improve airflow toward the rear of the car.

“A revised bodywork package featuring additional cooling exits aiming at improved aerodynamic flow conditioning towards the rear of the car,” the team noted.

This component remained on the car throughout the weekend.

The papaya team introduced multiple louvre options as part of the new bodywork to cover a wide range of ambient temperatures. McLaren explained: “Multiple cooling louvre options are available to cover the full range of ambient temperatures expected at this and future events.”

McLaren added a new winglet mounted on the halo to improve airflow around the cockpit and central engine cover. “A new winglet on top of the halo, aiming at improved management of aerodynamic flow around the cockpit and central engine cover," noted McLaren.

The Woking-based outfit introduced a revised geometry to the rear wing endplate to increase local aerodynamic load and adjust load distribution.

The team explained “Modification to the rear wing endplate geometry resulting in a change in load distribution and increase in local aerodynamic load.”

As part of the Montreal upgrade package, McLaren debuted small but targeted modifications to improve flow around the rear corner and diffuser.

“Small modification to the rear suspension fairings aimed at improved aerodynamic flow conditioning and load generation around the rear corner and diffuser.”

The British outfit introduced a new iteration of the floor edge package to improve floor conditioning and diffuser load.

“Iteration on floor edge devices aimed at improved overall floor conditioning and aerodynamic load generation on the floor and diffuser," McLaren explained.