McLaren has brought an extensive aerodynamic upgrade package to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, featuring redesigned sidepods, radiator intakes, engine cover and airbox fairing. The changes represent one of the most visually striking developments of the season, with the team completely revising the car's body package for the Baku street circuit.
The upgrade focuses on addressing McLaren's longstanding straightline speed deficit, with the team rarely matching rivals on high-speed sections this season. The modifications include moving radiator intakes to a new position similar to Audi's approach, requiring significant structural changes to the sidepod area that incorporates safety-critical components bonded to the survival cell.
The revised sidepod profile allows McLaren to alter cooling airflow patterns and potentially move radiator cores forward. The team has also changed the airbox intake from an elliptical to triangular shape while modifying the engine cover fin design. These cooling system revisions aim to reduce aerodynamic losses while maintaining thermal management requirements.
Additional changes target the area in front of the rear tire to improve underwing sealing through better outwash generation. The effectiveness of these developments will be quickly tested at Baku, where straightline performance directly impacts lap times on the circuit's long main straight.