Lando Norris pinpoints McLaren’s front graining: “A problem we’ve had for six years”. Lando Norris has explained the persistent issue that has plagued McLaren since 2019.

The 2024 Formula One season, regardless of the final results in the Constructors’ Championship, has not been a failure for McLaren. The team has shown an impressive growth trajectory throughout the year, securing five victories between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The latter even entered the fight for the Drivers’ Championship with Max Verstappen, who eventually clinched the title in Las Vegas.

However, Lando Norris’s consistent points finishes and podiums, combined with Oscar Piastri’s performances, have been crucial in helping McLaren claim the top spot in the Constructors’ standings. The team could secure the championship for the first time since 1998. Despite the potential for a celebratory season finale, Norris has identified an issue that still needs addressing within the team.

The #4 driver debuted in F1 with McLaren in 2019, six years ago, and has since continuously faced a problem with front graining that remains unresolved: “It’s a complaint I’ve had for six years, and we still haven’t managed to solve it and eliminate it from our car,” he explained to the media. “At some circuits that are more rear-limited, these problems don’t occur, but we’ve always been one of the worst teams for front graining. When we have front graining, we’re not the fastest car, but as soon as it disappears, the situation changes. When you can manage it to some extent, we can survive, but in Las Vegas, we couldn’t manage it well enough, and the problems were too severe, as they have been in many other races. There are weaknesses I’ve pointed out for a while, but they are very hard to eliminate from the car’s characteristics, so it’s something we’re working on.” – he concluded.