In recent races, starting with the Canadian Grand Prix, the McLaren Formula 1 team introduced significant technical upgrades focused on the front suspension of the MCL39. These updates were initially aimed at altering the suspension geometry to better align with the aerodynamic flow generated by the car’s new front wing.
It is important to note that starting from the Spanish Grand Prix, the design of the front wings across the grid was affected by the FIA’s updated Technical Directive TD018. This revision was intended to limit excessive flexibility. While the visual changes to the components were minimal, the scrutiny increased, static load tests became stricter, and the permissible flexing was reduced. This naturally led to changes in airflow compared to previous configurations. As a result, it made perfect sense for McLaren to develop a revised suspension system that would work in harmony with the new front wing.
The Canadian Grand Prix was effectively used by McLaren as a full-scale testing weekend, aimed at gathering data to evaluate the performance of these modifications. By the time the team arrived in Austria, they introduced a refined version of the updated suspension, which not only appeared to give the MCL39 a further competitive edge, but also seemed to help Lando Norris gain additional confidence behind the wheel.
This increased confidence translated into remarkable on-track results, with Norris claiming back-to-back victories at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg and at his home race at Silverstone. These performances allowed him to drastically reduce the gap in the drivers’ standings between himself and his teammate and direct rival, Oscar Piastri. The deficit is now just 8 points—a significant turnaround considering he was 22 points behind after the Canadian round.
Lando Norris downplays the impact of the suspension update: “People talk too much”
Despite many attributing McLaren’s resurgence and Norris’s success to the new suspension, the British driver chose to downplay its influence in a post-race interview following the British Grand Prix. “Do you want my honest opinion?” said Norris. “Maybe people talk too much. It might have helped me, but it’s impossible to quantify. Maybe a few hundredths—or even thousandths of a second.”
Norris continued by highlighting his consistent pace across recent races. “I won the last two races and I was very fast in Canada as well,” he stated, pointing to the data. “The team believed it would improve my feeling with the car, and I committed to making that happen. I followed the team’s direction because I trust them, but I believe I’ve done enough to say that most of the results come from my hard work. I credit my effort more than any car upgrade.”
He later partially softened his stance, adding: “The car is damn fast, but I’m putting in a lot of effort too. I’d say it’s a combination of both factors.”
Clearly, Lando Norris is riding a wave of confidence. After the costly mistake in the final laps of the Canadian Grand Prix, he was trailing Oscar Piastri by 22 points. Now, thanks to two consecutive victories, that gap is down to just 8 points. With twelve rounds still to go in the 2025 Formula One season, the championship battle remains wide open. Norris appears to have rediscovered his best form and is using not only his driving but also his public comments to apply psychological pressure on his teammate—a rival he respects deeply, but who, for now, remains the leader of the drivers’ standings.
Leave a Reply