As the Formula 1 2025 season heats up, Lando Norris finds himself grappling with a new technical innovation on the McLaren MCL39 that is proving to be a tough opponent.
Sky F1’s Martin Brundle recently shed light on the struggles faced by Lando Norris due to a ‘very clever’ change in the McLaren’s front suspension. This modification aims at aerodynamics but has inadvertently taken away Norris’s ‘feel’ for the car, leaving him in a precarious position.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate, has taken advantage of this development, emerging as a strong contender for the championship title. With victories in China and Bahrain, Piastri has not only narrowed the gap in the Drivers’ Championship to three points but has also led almost double the number of laps compared to Norris.
Norris, who freely admitted that something ‘just not clicking’ with the car, echoed Brundle’s observations. Despite a winning start to the season in Australia, he has yet to find the comfort level needed to consistently challenge at the top. He expressed frustrations over not being able to race to his full potential, lacking answers to his current predicament.
Brundle pointed out that Norris’s inability to adapt to the suspension changes may fuel his rivals, including Max Verstappen and George Russell, as well as embolden Piastri. Every expression of vulnerability is perceived as an opportunity by his competitors. However, Brundle believes that if Norris can bring his A-game consistently, he remains a formidable force in the race.
Despite the challenges, Brundle emphasized that Norris is ‘pretty unbeatable’ when he is at his best. For now, though, the road ahead demands a thorough understanding of the car’s dynamics and adapting his driving style to match the newly enhanced McLaren machine.
As the season progresses, much attention will focus on whether Norris can overcome these technical hurdles. His ability to adapt will be crucial in reclaiming his stature as a leading competitor. While Piastri currently holds the advantage, Norris’s potential to turn the tables remains an exciting prospect in the F1 2025 narrative.
