Why McLaren Named its Rear Wing as ‘H-Wing’ as they Show Enhanced Livery
McLaren Racing has explained why it has named the ‘Macarena’ rear wing as ‘H-Wing’, as it is to run an enhanced livery in F1 Italian GP.
Taking a cue from Ferrari, rival McLaren also developed its own version of Macarena rear wing, which they first brought to test in Austria. But due to other gremlins, the team could test the part. It subsequently brought it back at the later races and could validate its viability.
It was in Hungary that they could run it properly during the practice session. They will bring it back for this weekend’s F1 Italian GP at Monza. There is no big package from the side of McLaren, just some minor aerodynamic updates, to further add to the previous set of updates.
Why McLaren F1 named it H-Wing
Interestingly, McLaren has named its rear wing as ‘H-Wing’. It is homage to the ‘F-Duct’ in terms of naming. When they named it F-Duct, it was done so to incorporate the ‘F’ on the inlet of the car as a branding value. It is doing the same with the letter ‘H’.
It is utilising Etihad Airways’ ‘H’ to name it as H-Wing, thereby enhancing its commercial partner’s value, whose branding features on the rear wing. In another brand collaboration, McLaren will bring back the livery they used in multiple races before in partnership with OKX.
Enhanced McLaren F1 livery in Monza, Madrid with OKX
They used the Stealth Mode livery at the 2023 Singapore GP with OKX, the McLaren SENNA at the 2024 Monaco GP, and the Riviera-inspired livery at 2025 Monaco GP and Spanish GP. Likewise, they will use another livery enhancement in the 2026 Italian GP and Spanish GP.
The team is certainly riding on back-to-back F1 wins in Hungary and Netherlands courtesy Lando Norris and hopes to extend its stay at the top. “We arrive at Monza following back-to-back victories, and it has been great for everyone in the team to see the progress we have made this season rewarded on track,” said Neil Houldey, Technical Director.
“Winning again was a fantastic feeling and has reinforced the motivation across the team to keep pushing. We know we have had a quick car at the last few races, but we are not taking anything for granted. This is a very different track from the most recent ones, and we can expect a pecking order that not necessarily reflects what has been seen in Hungary and in the Netherlands.
“Our rivals will continue to bring aerodynamic and power unit developments, so we will need to execute every detail well – from set-up and energy management to ensuring the drivers can perform at their absolute best – if we aspire to fight at the front again. Monza presents a unique challenge, with its long straights placing a premium on drag reduction, while the heavy braking zones demand stability and the chicanes require good ride performance.
McLaren pins hopes on minor adjustement for Monza
“Energy will also be limited around the lap, so understanding the best way to recharge and deploy it will be an important focus during practice. Managing overtakes will therefore be particularly important, as different approaches to harvesting and deploying energy could create a yo-yo effect, with cars trading an advantage at different points around the lap.
“That said, the margins at the front remain extremely tight, so the accuracy of our pre-event simulation and simulator work will be critical in giving us a strong baseline. From there, we need clean practice sessions to refine the car and maximise the car-and-driver combination.
“This weekend, we have brought what we believe is needed to be competitive, including a new low-drag rear wing specification, including the first use of our H-Wing, alongside some small aerodynamic and low-drag options that we will evaluate before deciding the final specification for Qualifying. Overall, we know there is still more performance to unlock from the MCL40, both through maximising the package we already have and through further upgrades planned for the races ahead.”
