At last weekend’s US Grand Prix, McLaren has introduced many new upgrades, including an updated front wing and suspension package, along with various adjustments to its rear brake ducts and rear wing.

Although the team had plans to also run a new floor in Austin, they ultimately decided not to, focusing instead on ensuring that other components were performing as expected.

The Woking-based squad has taken a careful approach with upgrades to the MCL38, and it paid off in 2024 by helping them avoid unexpected issues their competitors have faced.

However the weekend at the Circuit of the Americas was far from perfect as both drivers struggled with the car’s balance. They crossed the line in fourth and fifth on Sunday, with Lando Norris finishing ahead of Oscar Piastri.

As the team wasn’t really able to keep up with Ferrari or Red Bull after previously outpacing them in Singapore, McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella hinted that there are more upgrades coming in Mexico and Brazil.

“I think the next circuit should be a little bit more suitable to the characteristics of our car,” said Stella quoted by Motorsport Week.

“We also have to keep developing the car. Like here, we took some developments at the front of the car, but they were nothing too large in terms of potential lap time impact.

“We have a couple more things that are coming in the next two races. We will see if we are in [a] condition to alter the competitiveness of the car.”

He was also asked whether the team should have taken a more aggressive approach with their updates.

“If we were in condition to release them and produce them in time to have them in Austin, we would have brought them to Austin," Stella replied.

“I think the time of new parts and upgrades landing trackside is the natural time of designing, finalising and then producing the new parts.”

The Italian also praised everyone's good work back at the factory in Woking.

“I’ve said before already, though, that we wanted to make sure that what we bring trackside is well-behaved.

“And we are quite encouraged, and I have to say well done once again to our aerodynamic team, that the parts we took here, they worked as expected.”

Before this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, McLaren holds a 40-point lead over second-place Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, with just five races remaining in the 2024 season.