McLaren plans to introduce major car updates at the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, mirroring similar moves by many teams.
The Imola event, being the first European race of the season, is traditionally the point where teams unveil significant new parts. This timing allows sufficient development time and benefits from easier logistics due to proximity to factory bases.
Despite McLaren`s strong overall performance this season, Lando Norris has admitted he is eagerly anticipating these planned upgrades. His anticipation stems from challenges he`s faced with the car`s handling, particularly in single-lap qualifying pace, where he has trailed teammate Oscar Piastri, who currently holds a points advantage over Norris in the drivers` standings.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has expressed hope that the new parts will improve the MCL39`s driveability for Norris.
Speaking about the potential impact of the upgrades, Norris stated, “I certainly think it will help.”
He added that while he`s uncertain of the exact upgrade schedule, with some parts coming over time, he is also focusing on personal improvements rather than solely relying on the car`s development. “There are things I’m working on separately, and hopefully that’s a better fix than waiting for other bits to come,” Norris said, highlighting the team`s collaborative effort to understand and improve the situation.
Last season, Norris generally held an edge over Piastri, but recently, Piastri has shown strong form, leading some to consider him the title favourite over Norris.
Norris acknowledged clear differences in the car`s behaviour compared to the previous season, affecting his ability to extract performance. “It’s been clear that there have been differences from last year in how the car works, how it acts, and how I’m able to get lap time out of it and perform,” he commented.
He described the situation as a mix of factors requiring patience and continued personal effort. “So, a mixture of things. I have to be a little patient with some things – some are bigger than others – but it takes time. So I just keep my head down and keep pushing myself,” he said.
Does the MCL39 suit Piastri or has he just adapted better?
While the McLaren has shown good pace, particularly in races, both drivers have occasionally struggled to optimize performance in qualifying, with the MCL39 proving challenging to handle with low fuel.
In contrast to last year, when Norris typically had the upper hand in qualifying, he has faced more difficulties this season, including errors that affected his grid position in early races.
Responding to whether the current car aligns better with Piastri`s style, Norris found it difficult to give a simple answer. He explained that certain car characteristics prevent him from achieving the `feel` needed to perform at his highest level, especially in qualifying.
“We’re talking about small things,” he clarified. “It’s not like it’s impossible to drive all of a sudden. It’s just when we’re talking about qualifying split by hundredths of a second, thousandths of a second, that’s what I’m complaining of and nothing more than that.”
Norris acknowledged that Piastri might have a more natural ability to adapt or has done a better job at it, stating that a driver`s role is to adapt, but the team also assists in getting the most out of the car.
He concluded that figuring out the exact reason for Piastri`s relative strength – whether the car suits him better or he has adapted more effectively – is not his focus. However, he noted that the changes have negatively impacted his own performance compared to his peak level at the end of last season.
