McLaren saves Lando Norris engine: sensors prevented serious damage
In recent years, Formula 1 has witnessed something unprecedented, something that has radically changed the perception of the sport. Teams have always sought the perfect balance between maximum performance and utmost reliability. However, since the FIA imposed limits on the number of power unit components a driver can use in a season without incurring penalties, the statistics reveal an entirely new scenario. Technical retirements have dropped dramatically, from 25% of all DNFs to just 4%.
The last nine Constructors’ Championships were won with zero or at most two retirements due to technical issues, an impressive record that highlights the progress in reliability across the grid.
Mercedes leads in reliability
The engine manufacturer that has focused most on reliability is Mercedes, achieving record levels for both their works team and customer teams in nearly every season from 2015 to 2024. This season, however, has seen a change. A negative anomaly affected both the Mercedes works team and some of its customers, including Aston Martin and Williams, who faced technical problems on multiple occasions. In what is likely the final year of this technical cycle, Mercedes probably opted for more aggressive engine maps in an attempt to find tenths of a second, pushing development closer to its limit.
Until recently, McLaren appeared unaffected by this trend. The team had become a benchmark for both performance and reliability, with their last two cars designed to dissipate heat more efficiently than any rival. McLaren had not experienced a retirement in the past 18 months, setting a remarkable reliability record.
Record ends at the Dutch GP
That streak ended at the recent Dutch Grand Prix, when smoke was seen coming from Lando Norris’ MCL39 before the car was parked at the side of the track.
The reason for the retirement
McLaren confirmed that the issue forcing Norris to retire, which dealt a significant blow to his hopes of winning the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, was an “internal problem” unrelated to Mercedes engines.
“We identified a problem on the chassis side and will conduct a full review before returning to race in Monza,” said team principal Andrea Stella. “This is the first technical problem for the team after a long streak of flawless reliability.”
According to The Race, Norris retired without scoring points due to a minor fault that caused an oil leak detected by sensors. The system automatically shut down the engine before any major damage could occur. As a result, the power unit can still be used for the remainder of the season.
Implications for the title fight
McLaren had also been the team that had used the fewest power unit components so far, keeping them well clear of any potential penalties. Identifying the problem as a minor fault that shut down the engine before serious damage is reassuring for Norris. He can now compete on equal terms with teammate and current championship leader Oscar Piastri, in a title fight that has so far presented challenges.
“I have a good teammate. He’s strong, fast in every situation, in every scenario. It’s difficult to catch up with someone who excels in practically every condition,” Norris said.
“But today the situation is different. It was just bad luck, not my fault, and sometimes that happens in racing. Certainly, it didn’t help me. It just made everything more difficult and put me under pressure. But now the gap is large enough that I can relax and give it a proper shot,” he concluded.
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