McLaren brought a eye-catching aerodynamic update to Circuit Zandvoort for the 12th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The Woking-based outfit debuted a newly shaped rear wing featuring subtle undulations along its trailing edge, designed to increase total downforce while improving airflow management over the rear axle.
According to technical documentation released by the FIA, McLaren redesigned the wing profile with wavy edge geometries to control turbulent air shedding off the wide rear tyres. This solution aims to mitigate tyre wake impact on the wing-tip vortices, preserving localized downforce and reducing drag penalties through medium- and high-speed corners.
Complementing the wing, the papaya team revised the rear engine cover around the exhaust exit to extract supplementary aerodynamic load in tandem with the main wing plane.
Additionally, the rear brake duct inlets were reshaped to improve flow conditioning, yielding dual benefits: cleaner airflow distribution toward the beam wing and enhanced cooling efficiency for the rear brake assemblies.
These updates follow a strong showing prior to the summer shutdown, where Lando Norris claimed victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Entering the Zandvoort weekend, Norris noted that the team needed to confirm whether the performance gains seen in Budapest could be replicated across high-downforce layouts like Zandvoort.
Formula 1 action continues at Zandvoort with Sprint Qualifying for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO covers all the track action live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow all paddock updates on our news page.
Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026
| Session | Local time (CEST) | UTC |
| Free Practice 1 | Friday, August 21 – 12:30 | 10:30 |
| Sprint Qualifying | Friday, August 21 – 16:00 | 14:00 |
| Sprint Race | Saturday, August 22 – 11:30 | 09:30 |
| Qualifying | Saturday, August 22 – 15:00 | 13:00 |
| Race | Sunday, August 23 – 15:00 | 13:00 |
Broadcast guide: Where to watch in the United States
- United States (Eastern Time / ET)
- Broadcaster: Apple TV
- Free Practice 1: Friday, August 21 – 06:30 ET
- Sprint Qualifying: Friday, August 21 – 10:00 ET
- Sprint Race: Saturday, August 22 – 05:30 ET
- Qualifying: Saturday, August 22 – 09:00 ET
- Race: Sunday, August 23 – 09:00 ET
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. What is the purpose of McLaren’s wavy rear wing at Zandvoort?
The wavy wing profile manages turbulent tyre wake from the rear wheels, stabilizing the main wing-tip vortex to maximize aerodynamic load without excessive drag.
2. What other updates did McLaren bring to the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix?
In addition to the rear wing, McLaren introduced a revised engine cover exhaust exit and updated rear brake duct inlets to improve airflow conditioning and cooling.
3. Did any other teams bring major floor or wing updates to Zandvoort?
Yes, Ferrari and Alpine introduced major floor overhauls, while Aston Martin brought updated front wing endplates and floor revisions.
