Lando Norris states that the stricter flexi-wing tests implemented at the Spanish Grand Prix had “changed nothing,” despite “a lot of complaints” being directed at McLaren`s car by Formula 1 rivals.
Leading up to the Barcelona weekend, a major topic of discussion was whether the new, more rigorous front wing inspections would negatively impact McLaren. Some teams, including Ferrari, had suggested McLaren benefited from wing flexibility. Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur even hinted the rule change could be a “gamechanger” for the 2025 performance hierarchy.
However, at the Spanish GP, McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked out the front row, their first since the season opener in Australia. They followed this by securing a dominant one-two finish on Sunday, with Piastri taking his fifth win of the season ahead of Norris.
“There were a lot of complaints about our car, and they introduced this TD [Technical Directive] and changed nothing,” commented Norris, who is currently 10 points behind championship leader Piastri.
“The team has done a very good job to simply provide us with a strong all-round car and, arguably, the best car on the grid. We are very proud to be able to drive these cars every weekend. It’s a testament to the daily work the team puts in.”
Ferrari was one of the teams anticipated to gain from the flexi-wing modifications. While Charles Leclerc achieved his second podium of the year in Spain, McLaren finished significantly ahead of the field, with the exception of Max Verstappen, who employed a different strategy.
Lewis Hamilton was critical of the updated regulations, which necessitated many teams building new front wings. He remarked that F1 “should be giving that money to charity” instead.
“The balance is definitely not as good as what we had before. It hasn`t made any difference [to the leaders],” Hamilton added.
“What a waste of money, it`s just wasted everyone`s money. It`s literally changed nothing. Everyone`s bent wings still bend.”
“It`s just half the bending, and everyone`s had to make new wings, and spend more money to make these. It doesn`t make any sense.”
Explaining the timing of the rule change, which came into effect from round nine after the FIA concluded last season that front-wing tests needed strengthening, FIA`s single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis stated last week: “We felt that if we had introduced extra tests at the start of this season, it would have been tough on teams and may have led to existing front wings being scrapped, and extra expense. Therefore, we felt that deferred introduction was more sensible.”
What`s the significance of McLaren`s Spain one-two?
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft speaking on Sky Sports News:
“I thought one of the key things about Sunday’s race was the lack of evidence that the new technical directive from the FIA has made any difference to McLaren whatsoever.
“McLaren kept saying ‘it’s going to make no difference to our competitive pace, Red Bull are looking in the wrong places’.
“It appears Red Bull actually might have been looking in the wrong places because all McLaren did to their wing was put a little £50 bracket on to it to stiffen it up, and Oscar Piastri still won, Lando Norris still finished second and they still increased their advantage at the top of the Constructors’ Championship.
“What’s happened on the track, with McLaren’s pace not being affected by this technical directive, will have more of an impact on Max Verstappen’s championship chances than his run-in with George Russell at Turn Five.”
Norris: McLaren still vulnerable in qualifying
Following nine rounds, McLaren holds a 197-point lead over their closest competitor, Ferrari, in the Constructors` Championship.
In the Drivers` Championship, Verstappen is now 49 points behind Piastri after his controversial incident with George Russell, which resulted in a 10-second time penalty and dropped him to 10th place in the race.
“This weekend, we were probably a bit quicker than we expected compared to Red Bull,” said Piastri.
“I think we thought they would be a really genuine threat this weekend. They were with us in the race, but more through strategy, I guess, than pure pace.
“But it seemed like we had a little bit of an edge over them. So, I don`t know. There will be other tracks where our competitors get closer. There`s probably going to be some where they`re further away. I hope there`s more where they`re further away than closer.”
Verstappen qualified three tenths slower than pole-sitter Piastri, which represented McLaren`s largest qualifying advantage over their rivals this season.
Norris believes that single-lap pace remains an area where McLaren could be “vulnerable” to other teams.
“I think people seem to quickly forget how close the other qualifying sessions have been,” he stated.
“They`ve been split by hundredths and thousandths, and there hasn`t been smooth sailing for us in every single one. So, I think that will be the case in future ones.
“But it`s clear we just have the best car on average, and we still seem stronger in the race. Although, it`s clear that the others are catching up. Our gaps in the race were probably a lot bigger in the beginning of the year than they are now.
“I do think that our competitors are catching up. But, we just need to keep our heads down and keep working hard.”
