McLaren and Mercedes unveil major upgrade packages for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix sprint weekend

McLaren confirmed a comprehensive technical upgrade for its MCL40 at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, targeting the floor, chassis, front and rear wings, bodywork and halo. The team hopes the new components will narrow the performance gap to Mercedes, which is also expected to bring a major upgrade package to the circuit.

The race marks the first F1 sprint format in Canada, with a single free‑practice session followed by sprint qualifying on Friday and a sprint race on Saturday. Pirelli will supply the softest tyre range (C3‑C4‑C5) to cope with the smooth, low‑abrasion surface of the Gilles‑Villeneuve circuit, while teams grapple with unpredictable weather and rapid track evolution.

Other contenders are also preparing. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, after a strong showing in Miami, is focusing on simulation work ahead of the sprint weekend. Ferrari and Cadillac (Checo Pérez) have outlined their own development plans, and the event’s logistics are being bolstered by ticket sales, city transport measures and Bell’s fastest 5G network to support the massive fan crowd.