Andrea Stella has confirmed that Lando Norris’s McLaren is still suffering from an unexplained straight-line speed deficit that can cost more than a tenth of a second per lap. The problem, which had already appeared in Baku, remains unresolved after qualifying at Sepang and is not necessarily being caused by the power unit.
McLaren endured a disappointing qualifying session in Malaysia. Lando Norris finished only sixth, more than six tenths behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen, while team-mate Oscar Piastri followed just five thousandths of a second behind.
Lando Norris still losing straight-line speed at Sepang
Expectations had been higher, but once again the reigning World Champion’s car showed the same mysterious weakness that had already emerged during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.
Andrea Stella explained that McLaren has identified the nature of the performance loss, even though its underlying cause remains unclear.
“I think the problem we have identified on Lando’s car concerns a lack of straight-line speed,” Andrea Stella explained. “We can see that in the sections where performance is power-limited, the car accelerates slightly less and reaches a lower top speed, all other things being equal.”
The difference is small in absolute terms, but consistent enough to appear in McLaren’s data.
“It’s probably a difference of between 1 and 2 km/h. These are tiny values, difficult even to detect, because all it takes is for Lando to benefit from a very small tow from a car four seconds ahead for him to appear faster than that same car.”
“However, it is a difference that emerges statistically, so it would be more accurate to describe it as a straight-line speed deficit.”
McLaren estimates problem costs Norris up to two tenths
Asked how much lap time McLaren believes the deficit is costing, Andrea Stella estimated that the impact could be significant despite the apparently small difference in outright speed.
“We can quantify this as a lap-time loss of more than one tenth of a second, probably somewhere between one and two tenths.”
However, identifying the source of the problem has proved much more difficult.
“The cause of the problem is a separate matter. Although you might immediately think of a lack of power, there could actually be several different reasons.”
Stella refuses to blame the power unit
Andrea Stella was also asked whether the problem could be related to electrical power delivery, but the McLaren team principal said such an issue should be easier to identify in the data.
“If that were the case, you would see it clearly,” Andrea Stella said. “Instead, it’s likely that the cause lies in other parameters.”
“There are aspects of the power unit that depend on the behaviour of the chassis, and there could also be factors related to the aerodynamic drag of the car.”
“We’re not pointing the finger at the power unit itself. We’re highlighting a lack of straight-line speed.”
That distinction is important because McLaren has not yet established whether the loss originates from the power unit, the chassis, aerodynamic resistance or an interaction between several systems.
McLaren takes responsibility for unresolved Norris problem
Andrea Stella made clear that McLaren is not looking for excuses and accepted responsibility for failing to solve the issue across the previous two race weekends.
“We take responsibility for this lap-time deficit on Lando’s car, which we haven’t been able to resolve over the last two races,” Andrea Stella said.
“We’re analysing every possible parameter and we’ll evaluate further changes, but I think we will only be able to make a concrete intervention at the next Singapore Grand Prix.”
The issue therefore looks likely to remain with Norris throughout the Sepang weekend before McLaren has an opportunity to introduce a more substantial solution.
Stella addresses question over banned sensor
Andrea Stella was also asked whether the problem could be connected to a regulatory change involving the banning of a sensor used to monitor the cylinder head.
The McLaren team principal did not draw a direct connection.
“I’m not sure. There are other sensors that, in theory, would allow the delivered power to be monitored, but they can also have inaccuracies.”
“One thing is certain: what we are seeing makes the picture a little confusing. Combustion-chamber pressure is probably one of the reasons why monitoring is less straightforward.”
However, Andrea Stella stopped short of offering a detailed explanation of the power-unit side of the investigation, stressing that this area falls under the responsibility of the engine manufacturer.
“I would say that question should be directed to our colleagues responsible for producing the power unit. It wouldn’t be correct for me to go into such specific detail about a component of the car that, ultimately, falls under HPP’s responsibility.”
For McLaren, the key fact remains the same: Norris’s car is losing a small but measurable amount of speed on the straights, costing up to two tenths of a second per lap. The team understands the symptom, but after Baku and Sepang it is still working to identify exactly what is causing it.
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