Overview
- McLaren removed the new front wing and fitted both cars with the previous specification for sprint qualifying to regain driver confidence and lap‑time performance.
- The new wing was trialled in practice, with Lando Norris running it through Friday practice and Oscar Piastri switching from the old to the new design during the session.
- Technical director Neil Houldey said the wing “wasn’t quite delivering what we expected,” which prompted the immediate rollback for the rest of the Montreal weekend.
- Norris qualified third and Piastri fourth for the sprint after the switch back, and team principal Andrea Stella said the decision gives engineers time to analyse the wing’s on‑track behaviour.
- McLaren judged the broader upgrade package to be beneficial despite the front wing problem and may reintroduce parts of the design at upcoming European races if further analysis supports it.