Lando Norris Exposes McLaren Complaints Shut-Down That Made No Impact

Lando Norris believes McLaren has proven it still has the strongest car in Formula 1, even after the FIA introduced new technical rules aimed at limiting their advantage. The FIA made the changes following several complaints last season about McLaren’s flexible front wing and a rear wing system some called a “mini-DRS.”

Earlier this year, the FIA addressed McLaren’s rear wing, and additional regulations for front wing stiffness were enforced starting at the Spanish Grand Prix. The hope among other teams was that tightening these rules would curb McLaren’s run of strong results.

Despite these efforts, McLaren continued to show impressive form at the Circuit de Catalunya. Oscar Piastri led the way in qualifying, with Lando Norris right alongside him, giving McLaren a front-row lockout.

In the race, Piastri took the victory while Norris finished close behind, extending the team’s dominance this season. When asked whether there are tracks coming up where McLaren might be less competitive, Norris smiled and replied, “I hope not!”

He praised the team for staying focused and not letting off-track distractions affect their progress. “There were a lot of complaints about our car, and they introduced this technical directive and it’s changed nothing. The team has done a very good job to give us a good all-around car, the best car on the grid,” Norris said.

Norris did acknowledge that while Barcelona played to McLaren’s strengths, there may be circuits ahead where the team is more vulnerable, especially in qualifying. Even though Piastri’s margin over Max Verstappen in Spain was the largest of the season—three tenths of a second—Norris reminded everyone that qualifying has often been close in 2024, sometimes with just hundredths or thousandths separating the top cars.

“People seem to quickly forget how close the other qualifying sessions have been. There hasn’t been smooth sailing for us in every single one. I think that will be the case in future ones,” he commented.

Despite recent tweaks, McLaren has managed to stay ahead. Norris mentioned that the gap to other teams in the races has shrunk compared to the start of the year, but said McLaren still has the strongest package overall, especially on race day.

“Our gaps in the race were probably a lot bigger in the beginning of the year than they are now. So I do think that our competitors are catching up. We just need to keep our heads down and keep working hard,” Norris noted after the Spanish Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri leads the 2025 F1 drivers’ standings with 186 points, followed by Norris at 176. Max Verstappen sits in third on 137 points for Red Bull.

In the teams’ table, McLaren holds the top spot with 362 points, comfortably ahead of Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull as the season goes past the ninth race.

The next rounds present different challenges, with races scheduled for Canada on June 15 and Austria on June 29. The season continues later with famed circuits like Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.

Teams like Ferrari and Mercedes are working hard to close the gap, but McLaren’s consistency in both qualifying and the races keeps them out front.

Several other stories are grabbing attention in F1 as well. Max Verstappen’s collision with George Russell in Spain has led to strong opinions among fans, and Lewis Hamilton’s performance with Ferrari is under close watch. Recent discussions around McLaren and Lewis Hamilton’s Monaco prospects have added intrigue to the championship battle.

Oscar Piastri also earned headlines with his strong results and responses to questions about potential tricky scenarios this year.

As the F1 circus moves on to its next events, both fans and teams are watching closely to see if McLaren can stay ahead or if the pursuing pack can finally catch up.

For now, Norris and Piastri have every reason to be confident, with their teamwork and McLaren’s development keeping the spotlight firmly on the papaya-colored cars.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.