News Summary
- Andrea Stella credited McLaren’s latest upgrades, strategy and tyre management for Lando Norris’ victory at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
- The team principal acknowledged that cooler conditions favoured the MCL40 and warned that McLaren still lacks the consistent performance required to challenge for the championship.
- Further components will arrive in Las Vegas, forming part of a development programme that also supports McLaren’s 2027 car.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes the upgrades introduced at the São Paulo Grand Prix played an important role in Lando Norris’ victory, but acknowledged that unusually low temperatures also helped the team overcome Mercedes and Red Bull at Interlagos. The Italian confirmed that further developments are scheduled for Las Vegas, with the latest aerodynamic package already providing information for the team’s 2027 car.
Norris secured his third victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season on Sunday, recovering from a difficult start to beat Max Verstappen by 14.602 seconds. The result ended McLaren’s winless run since the Dutch Grand Prix and offered encouraging evidence that its late-season development programme is producing results.
The British team had introduced changes to the floor and both wings for the Brazilian weekend, hoping to address the MCL40’s inconsistent performance after losing ground to its main rivals.
Stella explains how cold conditions helped McLaren
Speaking after the race, Stella identified the unusually cool track and ambient temperatures as an important factor in McLaren’s performance.
“My explanation of our performance in dry today is associated with the track and ambient temperature,” Stella said.
“The conditions were very cold, much colder than we had in practice.”
The race began on a damp circuit before drivers switched to slick tyres as the track dried. Rain subsequently returned, requiring another change to intermediates during the closing stages.
McLaren handled those transitions effectively. Norris avoided the mistakes that compromised Mercedes’ race and maintained competitive pace across both tyre compounds, allowing him to control the final stint.
Stella praised the contribution of the entire operation, from the aerodynamic developments to the decisions made on the pit wall.
“The upgrades, the car set-up, the strategy, the instructions from the pit wall, and a series of excellent pit stops all contributed to the result,” he said.
“The upgrades we’ve brought here are giving us positive signs for the end of the season and have also helped us understand certain concepts ahead of next year.”
However, the team principal warned against treating one victory as evidence that McLaren had completely eliminated its performance deficit.
“The low temperatures worked in our favour, whilst Mercedes appeared stronger in higher temperatures. Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari will continue to be fierce rivals, so we know there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Norris says upgrades worked but McLaren still trails rivals
Norris also welcomed the improvements, particularly after a difficult sequence of races in which the MCL40 had struggled to match the leading cars consistently.
The Briton explained that the revised front wing and aerodynamic package delivered the expected gains, although the car still lacks the performance required to fight for championships regularly.
“The new front wing and upgrade package we introduced this weekend performed exactly as expected, and without them, we would have been further off the frontrunners’ pace,” Norris said.
“However, we have to stay realistic, we were still a tenth or two adrift in outright performance during practice, and we know we are not yet at the level required to contend for a World Championship consistently.”
Norris had already identified encouraging signs during Friday practice, when he topped FP1 and finished second behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli in FP2.
The updates appeared to improve the car’s overall performance, although they were not designed primarily to eliminate the handling characteristics that have troubled McLaren throughout 2026.
Oscar Piastri had described the MCL40 as difficult to drive during an interview with GRANDE PRÊMIO at Interlagos, explaining that extracting its maximum performance consistently remains one of the team’s biggest challenges.
The Australian finished sixth on Sunday and also reported encouraging progress with the revised package, particularly on soft tyres.
McLaren confirms more upgrades for Las Vegas
Stella confirmed that the Interlagos package represents only part of McLaren’s final development programme of the season.
“And these upgrades, first of all, they will be complemented by some more parts that come in Vegas, and they form the foundation for what will be next year’s car,” he explained.
“So it’s encouraging for the trajectory of McLaren that we seem to be able to transform our development into performance on track.”
The approach follows the team’s decision to divide its latest upgrades between São Paulo and Las Vegas, rather than introducing all the components at once.
Stella also explained that McLaren’s previous upgrades had initially helped the team fight for victories, but subsequent developments from rival manufacturers reduced that advantage.
“As for the McLaren trajectory, after the upgrades in Hungary, it was encouraging that we were in position to win,” he said.
“We should have won Madrid, really. But after that, other people took upgrades, and we lost this position.”
The Italian believes the latest changes have helped restore McLaren’s ability to challenge at the front, although circuit characteristics and qualifying performance remain important variables.
São Paulo victory offers McLaren a foundation for 2027
McLaren’s progress was particularly encouraging because its development programme is already connected to preparations for the next Formula 1 season.
Norris’ victory at the São Paulo Grand Prix demonstrated that the team can still compete for wins under favourable conditions, while Piastri’s sixth place provided additional evidence of improved race pace.
Stella nevertheless emphasised that McLaren must continue improving its operational consistency, particularly after costly pit-stop and strategy problems earlier in the season.
“So it’s good that we were able to master these conditions at the pit wall as well. And I’m very proud to have seen the team operate at this very high level.”
The Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place on November 19–21, giving McLaren its next opportunity to evaluate the remaining upgrades before the final rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following the final stages of the 2026 championship, including the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with breaking news and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
FAQ
What upgrades did McLaren introduce at the São Paulo Grand Prix?
McLaren introduced aerodynamic changes involving the floor, front wing and rear wing. The team reported improved performance, with Lando Norris winning the race and Oscar Piastri finishing sixth. Further components are planned for Las Vegas.
Why was McLaren faster in Brazil?
Andrea Stella attributed the improvement to the new aerodynamic package, effective strategy and tyre management, alongside unusually cool temperatures that favoured the MCL40. He cautioned that McLaren has not yet eliminated its performance deficit to its main rivals.
Will McLaren bring more upgrades to Las Vegas?
Yes. Stella confirmed that additional components are planned for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 19–21. The developments also form part of McLaren’s technical preparation for the 2027 season.
Alternative headlines
- Stella explains McLaren’s São Paulo breakthrough and confirms Las Vegas upgrades
- Norris says McLaren upgrades delivered as Stella reveals key to Brazil victory
- McLaren links São Paulo victory to 2027 development as Stella promises more upgrades
Tags: McLaren, Lando Norris, Andrea Stella, São Paulo GP
Slug: mclaren-upgrades-norris-sao-paulo-win-las-vegas-2027
Meta description: Andrea Stella explains how McLaren’s upgrades and cooler temperatures helped Norris win in Brazil, with further developments planned for Las Vegas.
