Mercedes and McLaren debut host of updates at F1 Canadian GP

2 weeks ago 23

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Mercedes has brought its first major upgrade package of the 2026 F1 season to the Canadian Grand Prix, while McLaren has launched the second stage of its two-part upgrade plan.

Mercedes has won every grand prix thus far, but has seen McLaren make inroads on its performance lead when the papaya squad introduced the first half of its two-phase upgrade package in Miami.

McLaren has now unleashed the remaining parts at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal to complete its first major update programme of the 2026 season.

As revealed by Autosport, the second stage of the upgrade is centred around a brand-new front wing design, which McLaren explained is "aimed at better flow conditioning across the operating range resulting in improved aerodynamic load delivery".

Further downstream, the squad has also re-profiled its engine cover, with different cooling exits that should further optimise the airflow towards the rear of the MCL40. It comes with an array of different cooling slots to account for different ambient temperatures.

Other changes include a new halo fairing, revised suspension fairing and rear wing endplates, and a tweak to the floor edge wing that should all help increase the car's downforce.

Mclaren tech detail

Photo by: Ronald Vording

Unlike McLaren's two-pronged approach, Mercedes has focused most of its efforts this spring on one single upgrade package for this weekend. The W17 has received a new front wing, with a mainplane that now appears more integrated into the footplate. "Running the front wing elements into the footplate, and adding strakes, results in more robust flow structures, improving flow to the rear of the car and gaining downforce," the team explained, detailing its changes.

Mercedes also revised most areas of its floor to improve downforce generation and airflow towards the diffuser, and tweaked the winglets and lips on all four corners.

Mercedes tech detail

Photo by: Ronald Vording

Elsewhere, Red Bull backed up its Miami upgrade with a minor tweak to the floor edge. It has also brought a revised second and third front wing flap to help balance the car on circuits like Montreal, and added some bespoke cooling options for this race and the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix. Ferrari is the only frontrunner not to bring upgrades to Quebec after deploying its new parts in Miami.