McLaren arrives at Monza with mixed feelings after a bittersweet Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. The team came close to matching a historic Formula 1 record of five consecutive one-two finishes, a milestone that would have put them alongside Mercedes and Ferrari. However, that achievement slipped away in the final laps. Despite Oscar Piastri’s brilliant victory, the Woking squad left the Netherlands with frustration. A chassis issue, which caused an oil leak and subsequent power unit failure, ruined Lando Norris’ race and might prove decisive in the battle for the Drivers’ Championship.
Ambitions of Piastri and Norris
The situation has created tension within the McLaren garage. At Monza, the papaya team hopes Norris – who still has a mathematical chance of keeping his title hopes alive, even if the challenge is becoming increasingly difficult – can fight back. “I can’t wait to return to Monza,” said Lando Norris. “The Italian Grand Prix is always a fantastic race, with so many fans turning up and the high speeds making it even more exciting. I’m fully focused on this weekend, ready to give everything and fight for victory. The team has done an amazing job, the car has great performance, and I’ll try to make the most of it.”
Oscar Piastri also shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming Italian round. “I’m really excited for Monza. Zandvoort was a very positive weekend, and I’m determined to carry that momentum into Italy and fight for the win. Last year I finished second, and this time I’m working hard to go one better. A huge thanks to the whole team, who are working incredibly hard both at the track and in the factory to give us such a fantastic car.” Although not officially confirmed yet, it is highly likely that the World Championship leader will give up his seat in FP1 to Academy driver Alex Dunne, already announced by the team earlier this week.
Andrea Stella’s perspective
Team principal Andrea Stella also looked ahead to the Italian Grand Prix. “The next stop is Monza, an event that many fans eagerly anticipate every year. It is one of the most popular and fastest circuits on the calendar, and we are also looking forward to seeing Alex Dunne back in the MCL39 for FP1. Last weekend brought a lot of mixed emotions, but after carefully analyzing Lando’s retirement, our focus is now on the remaining nine rounds. We continue to be competitive, but we must not rest on our laurels and must remember how fine the line is between fighting for victory and ending up disappointed. The team and drivers remain motivated to maximize our pace this weekend, tackling Monza’s unique low-downforce challenges while aiming to maintain our current level of competitiveness.”
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