Lando Norris has been facing challenges in adapting to the 2025 McLaren’s handling, especially during qualifying, where he has struggled to push the car to the limit, in contrast to his teammate Oscar Piastri.
The reduced feedback from the car, particularly in terms of ‘cueing,’ has made it difficult for Norris to predict how the car will respond to his inputs, affecting his performance in qualifying sessions.
While Piastri has also noticed the front axle ‘numbness,’ he has managed to secure more pole positions compared to Norris due to his ability to adapt to the car’s characteristics.
McLaren has been working on solutions to improve Norris’ understanding and connection with the car, including adjustments to the front suspension geometry that have shown positive results in recent races.
Technical director Neil Houldey highlighted the importance of fine-tuning the car to enhance Norris’ feel for the tires on the limit, ensuring that the changes do not compromise the overall performance of the championship-leading car.
Through careful evaluation and adjustments, McLaren aims to support Norris in his quest to improve his performance while maintaining the competitiveness of the team overall.
