Norris Admits McLaren 'Not in the Fight for Pole' at Monza Despite Fourth Place
Lando Norris finished fourth in Monza practice but says McLaren lacks the pace for pole, as both driver and technical director highlight ongoing challenges.
Lando Norris finished fourth in practice at Monza but stated McLaren is "not in the fight for pole at all" after struggling for pace throughout the opening day. Norris ended Friday behind Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, as well as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with a gap of 0.384 seconds to the front. The British driver noted that despite the headline result, the team was not as competitive as the timesheets suggested.
McLaren's Mixed Results in Monza Practice
Technical Concerns and Team Reactions
Norris downplayed expectations for qualifying, pointing to issues with the car’s performance in certain corners and an overall lack of competitiveness. He described the team’s pace as lacking and said some corners were unexpectedly difficult for the MCL40. Technical Director Neil Houldey echoed Norris’s concerns, admitting that fighting for pole will be tricky this weekend. Both driver and team see the current gap as a clear challenge, with Houldey highlighting the need to maximise any opportunity in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested qualifying session.
New Parts Tested: The 'H-Wing' and Other Upgrades
McLaren ran a series of new components on the MCL40, including the much-discussed 'H-Wing'. The team reported that the new parts worked as intended, providing aerodynamic and mechanical benefits. However, the gains were not sufficient to put Norris or team-mate Oscar Piastri in contention for the front row. The team continues to seek improvements, but the gap to the front runners remains significant.
Competitive Landscape at Monza
McLaren’s performance must be viewed in the context of a highly competitive field at Monza. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, along with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, set the pace during Friday practice. The top teams are separated by narrow margins, with McLaren trailing by just under four-tenths of a second. This small gap, however, is significant in Formula 1, where even minor deficits can impact qualifying and race outcomes.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying and the Race
With qualifying approaching, McLaren faces the challenge of extracting more performance from the MCL40. The team is expected to focus on fine-tuning the car’s setup and addressing specific weaknesses identified during practice. Both Norris and Houldey have emphasised the importance of capitalising on any opportunities that arise, especially in a tightly contested midfield. The team’s ability to adapt and respond to the track conditions will be crucial for a successful weekend.
Summary of McLaren's Current Position
Despite introducing new technical upgrades and achieving a top-four finish in practice, McLaren remains cautious about its prospects for the rest of the Monza weekend. The team acknowledges the progress made with new parts but recognises that more work is needed to close the gap to the leaders. As qualifying and the race approach, McLaren’s focus will be on maximising every opportunity to secure the best possible result.
