McLaren is preparing for the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix with a rear wing configuration designed for the high-downforce demands of the new Madring circuit. The team is expected to use the updated wing first introduced at Zandvoort, which features distinctive sculpted endplates aimed at improving performance through the circuit’s more demanding sections.
However, McLaren has chosen not to develop a Zandvoort-style version incorporating its H-wing system. With teams having limited production capacity and resources, the squad instead prioritised developing the H-wing for Monza, where its ability to reduce drag offers a much greater lap-time advantage because of the Italian circuit’s long, high-speed sections.
The H-wing configuration used at Monza is expected to make another appearance at the Baku street circuit later in September. Baku’s emphasis on straight-line speed and aerodynamic efficiency makes it a more suitable venue for the concept. McLaren is also working on a future high-downforce wing that will be developed specifically around the rotating rear-wing actuator rather than being adapted from an existing design.
McLaren arrives in Madrid with strong momentum and is regarded as one of the leading contenders for victory on the challenging 5.4-kilometre layout. Lando Norris has already secured two recent victories at the Hungaroring and Zandvoort, giving the team added confidence heading into another technically demanding weekend.
The H-wing name comes from the prominent “H” in the Etihad branding positioned on the rear wing of the MCL40, where the straight-mode actuator sits along the centreline. The concept follows McLaren’s tradition of naming aerodynamic innovations after sponsor logos, similar to the famous F-duct from 2010. Racing Bulls, which also introduced its own rotating rear wing at Monza, is likewise expected to leave the device unused in Madrid because its characteristics do not suit the Madring, although the team intends to bring it back later in the
season.
