Overview
- McLaren removed the experimental 'McMacarena' rear wing during final sign‑off checks on Friday and did not run it in practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.
- Technical director Neil Houldey said the component 'didn't perform as expected' in the garage and the team was not comfortable running it on track.
- The design uses a rotating upper flap rather than a conventional hinge, which can cut more drag but changes the car's aero balance while it moves and demands high durability.
- McLaren confirmed the wing will be sent back to the factory for more development and will not be used for the rest of the Austria weekend, with a re‑introduction targeted for races after the British Grand Prix; some reports point to Belgium as a possible test venue.
- The decision reflects a risk‑management choice for a sprint weekend where limited practice time and the component's complexity make a failed trial far more costly than further lab work.