– McLaren is foregoing its novel H-Wing at the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. The Woking team will only use the system, which can rotate the rear wing 180 degrees between corner and straight modes, again at the race in Baku.
Read more Why Max Verstappen Does Not Believe in a Surprise in Madrid
McLaren had been working on its own version of the so-called “Macarena” rear wing after Ferrari had already tested the concept during the winter tests. After a delayed introduction, McLaren first showed the H-Wing in practice in Zandvoort and used it for the first time in a race at the recent Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
The system worked as intended. The mechanism helps reduce drag on the straights. Nevertheless, McLaren will initially use the H-Wing exclusively on its wing for low downforce tracks. A subsequent integration into the higher downforce variants is not planned.
Why the H-Wing is Paused in Madrid
For the new Madring in Madrid, McLaren is instead relying on the rear wing that the team had already introduced in Zandvoort. Notable are the distinctively shaped endplates. The circuit is making its debut this weekend and, due to its high downforce, places different demands on aerodynamics than Monza.
When producing new components, teams must allocate their resources carefully. McLaren therefore focused on completing the H-Wing in time for Monza. Especially on the high-speed track in Italy, reducing drag provides a significantly greater advantage in lap time than on more twisty circuits.
Read more Fernando Alonso: Maybe I’ll drive for Aston Martin in the WEC in 2027
Russell Disadvantaged? Why Mercedes Gave Antonelli the Better Strategy!
Therefore, McLaren refrained from retrofitting the wing used in Zandvoort with the H-Wing system. Instead, a completely new version of the wing with higher downforce is to be developed later, designed from the start for the integration of the rotating mechanism.
Return of the System in Baku
The H-Wing used in Monza is expected to return at the end of September at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The street circuit also places high demands on top speed and aerodynamic efficiency, providing better conditions for the concept.
Meanwhile, McLaren enters the Madrid weekend as one of the favorites. Lando Norris has recently won both on the twisty Hungaroring and in Zandvoort. The team now faces another challenge on the 5.4-kilometer Madring.
Racing Bulls are also foregoing their rotating rear wing in Madrid. The team had used a corresponding solution in Monza as well but sees no suitable application for the concept on the new Madrid circuit. The wing is expected to return later this season.
Read more «The app has crashed»: Antonelli experiences flood of messages after Monza win
