McLaren's heading into Malaysia this weekend with their tails up, despite what was honestly a shocker of a race in Baku. The team introduced a massive upgrade package to their cars in Azerbaijan, but things went pear-shaped real quick. Lando Norris retired with power unit troubles while Oscar Piastri threw away points with a missed corner, leaving the constructors' champions without a single point from the weekend. Not ideal when you're trying to keep momentum going.

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Here's the thing though, McLaren reckons the new parts are actually working properly. They've been digging through the data and reckon the full benefit of those updates just didn't show itself on the tight streets of Baku. Senior Director Racing Randy Singh explained that they need a circuit with more variety to really see what the upgrade package can do. Enter Sepang, Malaysia's iconic track that F1 hasn't visited since 2017. It's got everything the MCL40 needs to show its teeth, long straights paired with heavy braking zones and a proper mix of different corner types.

The Malaysian Grand Prix will be a proper challenge for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri though. Neither's actually raced a Formula 1 car at Sepang before, so McLaren's had both drivers putting in serious hours on the simulator to get up to speed. There's barely any recent data from the circuit, and nothing with this current generation of cars. That means Friday's practice sessions are absolutely crucial for gathering information and getting comfortable with the layout.

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McLaren's not bringing another major upgrade this weekend, but Singh confirmed they'll have some circuit-specific bodywork to fine-tune performance at Sepang. There's also the weather wildcard to consider. The Malaysian circuit can absolutely unleash tropical downpours in the afternoons, and that's a genuine unknown given there's been no competitive wet running under the current power unit regulations. It could turn the whole race on its head, so the team's prepping for everything.

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The reality is Sepang offers McLaren a proper second chance to prove that Azerbaijan upgrade was worth bringing to the grid. With better track characteristics and no power unit gremlins to worry about, we should finally see what this package can deliver. If it clicks like the team believes it will, the rivals better watch out.

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