McLaren Tests New Rear Wing in Austrian GP
McLaren rear wing trials in Austria could shape its chase for a first win in 2026, while Mercedes targets reliability fixes.
SPIELBERG — McLaren will run a new experimental rear wing in Friday practice at the Austrian Grand Prix, using the Red Bull Ring as a test bed for an upgrade it hopes can help turn around its 2026 season. The move matters because McLaren arrives in Austria without a grand prix win after six races, and the team needs progress fast.
The Woking-based squad has managed only four podiums so far this year, a return that falls short of its status as the reigning constructors’ champion. The rear wing test is part of a wider push to find more speed at the back of the MCL40 and sharpen the car’s race pace on a circuit where small gains can decide everything.
McLaren puts new rear wing under pressure
McLaren technical engineering director Neil Houldey said the upgrade package is aimed at improving efficiency around the rear of the car. Sky Sports reported that the most striking piece is the experimental rear wing, which carries a conceptual similarity to the flexible-wing idea used by one of McLaren’s main rivals.
That design is believed to echo the kind of mechanism seen on Ferrari’s rear wing during pre-season testing, where the angle can change as the car runs down a straight and cut drag. The idea is simple. More speed where it counts. Less drag when the driver needs it most.
“Austria has historically been a circuit that suits our car,” Houldey said. “We are optimistic that the chassis characteristics and our drivers’ style will match the track, allowing us to fight again for the front positions.”
He added that Friday’s practice session will be used to gather real-world data before McLaren decides whether to keep the wing on the car for qualifying and the race. That makes the opening day of the weekend more than a routine session. It is a live experiment, with the team looking for proof that the concept works under pressure.
Mercedes arrives with a different problem
Mercedes is bringing its own upgrade package to Spielberg, but the focus is different. Team principal Toto Wolff said the Silver Arrows need to solve durability problems that have repeatedly cost them points in recent races.
Engine trouble has hit hard. George Russell retired while leading the Canadian Grand Prix because of a technical problem. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli also failed to finish the previous race in Barcelona while running second. Those two exits have added urgency to Mercedes’ work in Austria.
Antonelli’s retirement in Spain cut his points lead over Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari, to 41 points. Hamilton used the opening to claim his first win for Ferrari, a result that underlined how quickly the title picture can shift when a front-running team has one bad Sunday.
“Our weak point so far has been car durability,” Wolff said. “We have lost too many important points with both cars in recent races. If we cannot put together a clean weekend without technical trouble, our rivals will happily take advantage of that.”
He was blunt about the task in hand. No clean finish, no chance. Mercedes needs the upgraded car to survive the full weekend before it can even think about attacking the front of the field.
Why Spielberg matters
The Red Bull Ring is a short lap with relatively few corners, and that usually compresses the field. In practice and qualifying, the gaps can be tiny. One mistake, one gust of wind, one setup choice that misses the mark, and a team can lose several places before the race even starts.
That is why both upgrades carry real weight. McLaren is trying to unlock aerodynamic gains at the rear of the car, while Mercedes is trying to make sure its package lasts long enough to convert pace into points. Different problems. Same pressure.
For fans and teams alike, the Austrian GP often exposes who has found something new and who is still chasing answers. McLaren’s rear wing will be judged on speed through the straights and stability through the lap. Mercedes’ changes will be judged on whether the car actually makes it to the flag.
The tactical fight between McLaren’s aerodynamic experiment and Mercedes’ reliability fix should shape the weekend in Spielberg, where even the smallest upgrade can move a team from chasing the pack to fighting near the front. The first real test comes Friday, when McLaren puts the new rear wing on track for the opening practice session.
