Ahead of the 2025 F1 Miami GP, McLaren driver Lando Norris has been vocal about his displeasure with the MCL39 and the ongoing callenges that have prevented him from performing at his highest level.
Some “small things” limiting Norris’ comfort with MCL39
While speaking to the media ahead of the 2025 F1 Miami GP during Thursday’s FIA press conference. Norris was asked whether the car was better suited to him or fellow teammate Oscar Piastri. While he struggled to answer at first, he eventually admitted that certain aspects of the car did not suit him.
“It’s a difficult one to answer. Yeah, it’s very difficult to answer. I think there are just certain things which don’t allow me to feel what I need to feel, and those things are what allow me to drive to the level that I can drive at—to get pole positions and to drive at the highest level in racing.”
“We’re talking about small things. It’s not like it’s impossible to drive all of a sudden,” he quickly clarified.
“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. Yeah, it’s not one I can probably just give you a yes or no answer to.”
Piastri “more naturally able to adapt” to current MCL39
While Norris acknowledged that the MCL39 in its current form seemed to favour his teammate Oscar Piastri, he impressed that it was a driver’s job to “adapt to whatever car” they had. However, he refrained from commenting further on the matter explaining that it was not for him to figure out why Piastri seemed comfortable behind the wheel of the MCL39.
“I think he’s maybe more naturally able to adapt. And I also think it’s a driver’s job to adapt to whatever car they get given, but there are compromises, and the team are also there to try and help you get the most out of the car. But it’s clear there have been some changes, and whether it’s just suited Oscar or Oscar’s way, or him doing a better job at adapting, that’s not for me to kind of know or try and figure out or waste my time on. “
Despite recognising his teammate’s strengths, Norris admitted that the situation had taken a toll on him personally.
“But yeah, for me, it’s also hurt me a little bit more, and I’ve not been able to perform at the level that I was at the end of last season, which I think is the best level that I’ve been.”
McLarens tricky car
As every Formula 1 car evolves year on year, Norris revealed that even with simulator work, the true nature of the MCL39 only became clear on the track.
When asked whether he expected the car to be trickier than last year’s, he replied:
“No, I don’t think so. I mean, it’s very hard to know. Of course, we have the simulator and things, and there was nothing that really spoke out that much about it. So the answer is no.”
He continued:
“We knew it would be a step forward, we knew it would be quicker, but until you really put it on the track and you drive at different circuits… You know, it’s not just that one. There are some circuits I felt better and some circuits I’ve liked the feeling a lot. But not enough of an indication for me to kind of prepare, probably what I needed to prepare for”.
A “very well needed” break ahead of the 2025 F1 Miami GP
Following five consecutive race weekends, the F1 calendar paused briefly after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The short break offered drivers and teams a chance to reset and regroup. For Norris, the timing was ideal. He described the ten days off as “very well needed” and said that it had helped him approach the upcoming races.
“Yeah, I mean the break was very well needed for everyone, but definitely myself. It was nice to get away from things and have a bit of a reset. But it was a productive, I would say, couple of weeks.”
“That doesn’t mean a lot of stuff has changed for this weekend. It’s not like things are going to magically work as I would love, but I think there’s been a lot more understanding over the last couple of weeks of certain things, certain feelings, what could have affected things and what maybe didn’t. “
During the downtime, Norris focused heavily on simulator work, analysing his mistakes and exploring ways to help the team improve the MCL39 and his on-track performance it in.
“So, you know, the majority of my sim work was based upon that and trying to understand some of these things, which is good.”
“But then it’s about understanding them further, knowing what measures you can take to stop changing things on the car and what you want to put resource into. So it’s a bigger thing than just saying this or that.”
“But yeah, there’s been a lot more understanding and I think that’s the main thing. So as a team then we need to work on how we can bring that to the car.”
Norris believes that Piastri “deserves his success”
Despite his personal struggles, Norris had nothing but praise for his teammate Oscar Piastri, who has already claimed three wins this season compared to Norris’s one. When asked if he was concerned about Piastri’s momentum, Norris dismissed the idea, explaining that he did not but much stock in the concept.
“No, not worried at all. He’s doing a good job, and he deserves it. Nothing more than that. I don’t believe so much in the momentum stuff – that’s just my opinion.”
While he added that he was doing what he could to maximise his performance, the British driver admitted that he had made mistakes. However, Norris assured that he was not nervous going into the 2025 F1 Miami GP as so much of the season remains.
“I’m doing what I can. I’ve clearly made some mistakes and not at the level I need to be, but I believe I can be at that level soon enough. So no reason to be worried. It’s round six of 24.”
“I’m not going to say that forever, but I know I need to get a move on and get into gear a little bit. I’m doing the best I can every weekend at the minute, trying to improve. But the speed is there, the pace is there, the race pace is definitely there. It’s just one thing I need to tidy up. It’s a difficult thing, but I’m confident I’ll get it.”
