The McLaren team stops upgrades on the MCL39. That bold move comes just as Max Verstappen and Red Bull roar back to form at the end of the 2025 season.
McLaren is making a daring call and stops upgrades to the MCL39. It’s a strategic but risky decision as the championship gap visibly shrinks. Team principal Andrea Stella fully embraces this shift and chooses stability over chasing Red Bull in a costly technological arms race.
McLaren stops upgrades for the MCL39
Since the US Grand Prix, McLaren has confirmed that no new parts will be introduced before the end of the season. This choice comes as a surprise, given Verstappen’s recent dominance. The Dutchman has won three of the last four races and now sits just 40 points behind Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader. Meanwhile, Lando Norris maintains around a 20-point lead over the Red Bull driver.
A strategy focused on 2026
The team’s goal is to channel its resources toward the 2026 car. According to Andrea Stella, that’s precisely why McLaren is stopping upgrades for the MCL39. The new car will have to comply with a complete overhaul of F1’s technical regulations.
“As for new developments, there won’t be any for the rest of the season,” Stella confirmed in Austin. The objective is to fine-tune the existing package through minor adjustments and better on-track execution. The team opts for that, rather than wasting time and budget on late-season upgrades with limited impact.
Verstappen turns up the pressure
While McLaren stops upgrades, Red Bull seems to have found its groove again. Since the Italian Grand Prix, the RB21 has become a benchmark, strong in both qualifying and race pace. Verstappen, true to form, has made the most of every opportunity. His flawless weekend in Austin (pole, sprint win, and race victory) netted him 33 points in one go.
Norris had the pace, but not the position
Despite the setback, Andrea Stella remains confident. And that confidence partly explains McLaren’s decision to halt upgrades. He insists that Norris had the pace to fight for victory, but being stuck behind Charles Leclerc early on cost him valuable time.
“Without that fight with Charles, Lando had the pace to win,” he said. And that statement helps lift morale, even as Verstappen’s winning streak leaves less and less room for error.
A pragmatic approach from McLaren
Rather than rushing into a reaction, McLaren is choosing realism over panic. Yes, the team has stopped upgrades for the current car. However, it’s betting on consistency and strategy to defend its championship position. Moreover, the double F1 crash in Austin’s sprint robbed engineers of precious data, which slows down setup refinement.
What’s next for McLaren after the team stops upgrades ?
With five Grands Prix left, the pressure is mounting. McLaren knows the title fight is far from over. The team is banking on its cohesion and the reliability of its package to withstand Red Bull’s surge. It’s a risky yet logical gamble that could determine whether 2025 becomes a season of validation… or disappointment.