Janice R. Andrews
McLaren has rolled out an innovative rear wing design ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, aiming to boost their performance at Interlagos. The new wing, designed to enhance both straight-line speed and downforce, could give Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri a crucial advantage on the demanding circuit.
The design represents a middle ground between McLaren’s existing medium and low downforce configurations, featuring a distinctive V-shaped mainplane with a deeper central cut and more pronounced upward curve at the leading edge. These modifications are engineered to optimize airflow and reduce drag, building on concepts previously explored by teams like Aston Martin and Alpine.
The team has also introduced two complementary beam wing variants, offering additional fine-tuning capabilities for different track conditions. While Interlagos’ altitude and unpredictable weather pose unique challenges, McLaren’s strategy appears to favor a lower downforce setup, similar to their recent approach in Mexico City.
McLaren plans to evaluate the wing’s performance during practice sessions, with final implementation dependent on weather conditions and initial testing results. The upgrade package demonstrates McLaren’s continued push for performance gains as they battle for position in the championship standings.
