Lando Norris reports a recurring straight-line speed shortfall versus Oscar Piastri, highlighted in Azerbaijan and Bahrain qualifying, as McLaren investigates and prepares changes before Singapore.

Team principal Andrea Stella confirms the MCL40 accelerates slightly less and records lower top speed on power-limited sections compared to the sister car.

McLaren’s data traces a persistent 1–2 km/h deficit, subtle in slipstream but visible in clean air, particularly where drag and deployment define peak velocity.

At Baku, Norris qualifies 0.308s slower than Piastri, a gap amplified by the ultra-long main straight and the car’s sensitivity to drag-related losses.

Bahrain shows a smaller but consistent delta; Norris again raises concerns after the qualifying session in Bahrain, reinforcing suspicion of a car-specific aerodynamic or mechanical nuance.

Stella rules out power unit performance and deployment, citing tightly controlled, logged parameters under current regulations that align between cars and show no anomalies.

Focus shifts to chassis build tolerances, cooling choices, or bodywork fit generating extra drag. McLaren accepts responsibility and pursues a root-cause programme.

Modelled lap-time loss sits between one and two tenths, a meaningful handicap within a compressed competitive order.

No immediate solution is expected; the team targets the Singapore Grand Prix for setup and component revisions aimed at eliminating the drag discrepancy.

Marina Bay’s lower Vmax profile could mask the effect, but correlation work remains essential to ensure the fix translates to high-speed venues.

Internally, the stance protects driver confidence and parity with Piastri, countering any external discussion about perceived favoritism while the technical group iterates solutions.

Engineers prioritise checking rear-wing efficiency, floor sealing, and cooling exit management, each capable of trading stability for drag and top speed.

Singapore provides the first controlled reference; subsequent rounds will show whether the anomaly persists or reflects track-specific sensitivity within McLaren’s current efficiency window.

Visual Summary

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.