The subtle but significant changes McLaren will make for its 2027 F1 car

McLaren, which won the last two Formula 1 constructors' championships, has struggled in the first half of the 2026 season under new technical regulations, citing insufficient downforce efficiency and a lack of understanding of the new complex power units as key limiting factors. The team plans to make significant design changes to its 2027 car, the MCL40's successor, addressing a fundamental aerodynamic limitation baked into the current chassis design. Unlike some rival teams that plan to carry over their chassis for cost reasons, McLaren is aiming for something 'quite different' for the 2027 season.