McLaren delays experimental rear wing test at Austrian Grand Prix, cites development lag

McLaren entered the Austrian Grand Prix with plans to trial an experimental rear wing, nicknamed the “McMacarena”, on Lando Norris’s car. The component, inspired by Ferrari’s rotating wing concept, was intended for a brief run during Friday practice at the Red Bull Ring. However, technical director Neil Houldey said the wing failed final sign‑off tests and did not perform as expected, leading the team to abandon the trial for the weekend. He explained, “We weren’t comfortable enough to take it into the first session… we’ll bring it back when we’ve learned a little more.”

Ahead of the race, Norris admitted the team’s car development was lagging behind rivals, stating, “We’re about two, three months behind Mercedes and Ferrari.” He added that a single upgrade would not close the gap, emphasizing the need for multiple performance improvements. The setback means the wing’s debut is postponed until at least the British Grand Prix, with the next likely public test at the Belgian Grand Prix. McLaren will instead focus on optimizing its current package while continuing a broader development programme to catch up in the 2026 season.

Red Bull introduced several upgrades to its RB22 for its home race, but McLaren’s broader challenge remains its development pace, which Norris described as a “development crisis” threatening the team’s title defence.