Lando Norris, the current Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship leader, has candidly admitted to struggling with McLaren’s 2025 car, the MCL39, as he finds himself adapting to a driving style that feels unnatural to him. The Briton’s comments come in the wake of teammate Oscar Piastri’s stellar performances, which have seen the Australian emerge as a serious title contender and even overtake Norris as the bookmakers’ favorite for the 2025 championship.
Norris, who holds a slim three-point lead over Piastri in the standings after four races, revealed his discomfort with the MCL39 ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “I’m being forced to drive in a different way and a different manner that I’m not used to,” Norris said. “It’s not normal for me at all.” The 25-year-old, who secured a victory in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, has consistently reached the podium in all four races this year but believes he is “nowhere near” his full potential due to the car’s characteristics.
The root of Norris’s struggles lies in the MCL39’s handling, particularly its front-end feedback, which doesn’t suit his preferred driving style. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged that recent changes to the car have made it “more difficult” for Norris, while inadvertently favoring Piastri’s approach. “We know technically what this is,” Stella explained. “Lando is adapting to this, and potentially this might have played a bit more on Oscar’s hand.” The team is actively working on technical adjustments to address Norris’s concerns, though no timeline for these changes has been confirmed.
Piastri, in contrast, has been in scintillating form, claiming two victories in 2025, including a dominant lights-to-flag win in Bahrain last weekend. The 24-year-old Australian, who trails Norris by just three points, has adapted seamlessly to the MCL39, particularly excelling in qualifying with pole positions in China and Bahrain. His manager, Mark Webber, praised Piastri’s ability to compete against “serious artillery” like Norris and reigning champion Max Verstappen, noting his improved one-lap pace and race craft.
The Bahrain Grand Prix highlighted the growing contrast between the McLaren teammates. While Piastri cruised to victory, Norris endured a “messy” race, marred by a five-second penalty for a false start and multiple failed overtakes, including an off-track pass on Lewis Hamilton that forced him to yield the position. Norris’s sixth-place qualifying result left him feeling “clueless” and “like I’ve never driven a Formula 1 car before,” a stark contrast to his confidence in 2024 when he regularly challenged Verstappen.
Despite his struggles, Norris remains defiant about his championship aspirations. “I’m confident I have everything I need, I’ve got what it takes,” he insisted. “Something’s just not clicking with me in the car.” His self-critical nature, which Stella compares to that of former champions like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, has been evident as he shoulders the blame for his recent performances rather than pointing fingers at the team.
The intra-team dynamic at McLaren is shaping up to be one of the defining narratives of the 2025 season. Piastri’s rise has sparked speculation about a potential power shift within the team, with former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya warning that if Piastri continues to out-qualify Norris, it could “get into Lando’s head and force him to make mistakes.” McLaren, however, maintains a philosophy of fairness, allowing both drivers to race freely as long as they prioritize the team’s interests.
Social media sentiment reflects the growing tension, with fans on X noting Piastri’s adaptation to the MCL39 as a key factor in his edge over Norris. One user remarked, “Oscar has better adapted to this car, yes, but Lando has out-paced every single teammate… while feeling like he’s never driven an F1 car before.” Another highlighted Piastri’s “step forward” with the car amid Norris’s struggles.