This season has been tough for Lando Norris, especially when trying to push his McLaren car to the limit in qualifying. Norris’s ongoing struggle to understand and feel the car has affected his chances of quick laps and reaching the top spots. But McLaren is working hard to solve these problems, and recent developments show promising signs of improvement.
Challenges Faced by Norris in 2025
Norris has found it difficult to get a good feel for his car during qualifying. He reports that the steering wheel and front end of the car give less feedback than expected. This lack of feeling, called 'cueing,' makes it harder for him to attack corners at the highest speed. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, also noticed this issue, but to a lesser extent. Piastri has been able to perform better, securing more pole positions this year than Norris.
Norris's main problem has been adapting to a new front suspension geometry that McLaren introduced in early 2025. The team made this change after much testing and simulation aiming to improve Norris's connection with the car. Norris’s previous experience showed that the car’s handling traits could be subjective, making solutions tricky to develop and implement.
How McLaren Is Working to Improve Norris’s Feel and Performance
In recent months, McLaren has focused on understanding Norris’s specific needs. The team’s technical director, Neil Houldey, explained that they made small but crucial adjustments to the front suspension's kinematics. These adjustments aimed to restore Norris’s confidence in the front end and get him closer to the limit when racing.
Norris spent extra time in the simulator between races, trying to clarify where the front-end response lacked. Based on this data, McLaren prepared a revised suspension setup that Norris trialed successfully in Canada. The goal was to give him a better sense of grip and response, which are key to building speed in qualifying sessions.
Some updates also included aerodynamic parts like new front suspension fairings. These are designed not just for mechanical performance but to work in harmony with the suspension system for maximum effect. Norris and Piastri are expected to have the latest parts starting from the next session, helping them improve their lap times and confidence.
Improving Overall Qualifying Results
The effort to improve Norris’s feeling is part of McLaren’s broader strategy to make their car faster and more consistent. While early season results showed Norris trailing behind his teammate, recent signs indicate he is gradually catching up. Norris himself has highlighted that the suspension change is aimed at giving him a better race feeling, which might unlock more performance.
Despite the difficulties, Norris remains optimistic. He believes that with the ongoing work, he can reduce mistakes and get closer to the top, competing more confidently with Piastri and other fast drivers. His recent qualifying performances, though still not perfect, suggest that McLaren’s adjustments are starting to pay off.
Going forward, Norris and McLaren aim to refine the setup further. The team’s focus is on finding the right balance between mechanical grip and aerodynamic efficiency. They want Norris to feel the car more clearly and be able to push it to the edge in qualifying without risking mistakes.
This ongoing development shows how much effort goes into making a Formula 1 car faster and more responsive. Norris’s story is a testament to the constant quest for perfection in racing, where minute improvements can mean the difference between winning and losing. Fans can look forward to more exciting qualifying battles as McLaren continues to push its limits and help Norris reach his full potential this season.
