Just in:Lando Norris admits frustration over ‘forced’MCL….read more
Lando Norris admits frustration over ‘forced’MCL….read more
Lando Norris, the current leader of the Formula 1 World Championship, has expressed frustration over having to alter his driving style to adapt to McLaren’s 2025 car, the MCL39. Despite leading the standings, Norris admitted he is not entirely comfortable with how he’s had to drive this season, revealing that recent changes to the car have pushed him outside his usual rhythm.
The British driver opened the season strongly with a victory at the Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, his performance has been overshadowed by team-mate Oscar Piastri, who has claimed two wins in the first four races. Heading into the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Norris holds a slim three-point lead over Piastri, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen just eight points behind in third place.
In the lead-up to the Saudi Arabian GP, Norris told reporters that while no one in the team is explicitly forcing him to change, the only way to remain competitive with the car’s new dynamics is to drive in a way that feels unnatural to him. “I’m being forced in a way—not by anyone, but in order to perform better, I’m having to drive in a different manner. It’s not what I’m used to and not what’s normal for me,” he explained.
Although Norris remains at the top of the leaderboard, recent races have highlighted the challenges he’s facing. In Bahrain, a disappointing sixth-place qualifying result limited his chances of fighting for the win. Meanwhile, Piastri seized the opportunity, dominating the race to secure another victory. Norris managed to recover and finish on the podium, but it was clear he lacked the edge over his team-mate.
A similar pattern emerged in China, where Piastri once again outpaced Norris. The British driver’s struggles continued in Japan, where he found it difficult to match Verstappen’s pace in both qualifying and the race itself. The team was also criticized for not implementing team orders when Piastri appeared faster than Norris, potentially costing them an even better result.
McLaren’s early dominance in the 2025 season has sparked expectations of an intense intra-team championship battle. As the car proves to be a frontrunner, Norris is under pressure to find a second win soon to maintain his title charge. With Piastri gaining momentum and Verstappen closing in, Norris must adapt quickly to stay ahead in what’s shaping up to be a fiercely competit
ive season.
