There were no surprises when Lando Norris clinched victory at the Australian Grand Prix, as McLaren had one of the strongest performances last season. However, some commentary has emerged regarding the car they presented in Australia, with a former teammate of Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes offering candid thoughts on one of the McLaren car’s potential weaknesses.
As Norris dominated in Australia, with Max Verstappen trailing him throughout the race, the spotlight naturally turned to the car’s speed. In Formula 1, every detail matters; even the smallest change can be the difference between a win and a loss.
The FIA’s introduction of DRS (Drag Reduction System) has given teams the opportunity to gain speed through the rear wing. For McLaren, one of their key adjustments this season was to the wing itself, which now appears more flexible, providing them with an extra boost in certain sections of the track.
Given these changes and other technical aspects of the car, George Russell, Hamilton’s former teammate, offered a bold take on McLaren’s performance. “The gap they have this year is bigger than Red Bull ever had. I think their car is capable of winning every race,” Russell told AutoSport.
George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 20, 2025 in Shanghai, China.
Piastri responds to Russell’s comments
After Mercedes driver shared his views on the advantages he sees in his car, Oscar Piastri, Norris’ teammate, responded. Piastri acknowledged the challenges involved in driving a car like theirs, emphasizing the skill and technique required to maximize its potential.
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“I think, you know, clearly our car was very strong in Melbourne. There’s no denying that. It also handled well, and I think we reached a point where it was working as we wanted. But of course, as racing drivers, we never have everything we want. That said, in all conditions in Melbourne, it was clear our car was very strong,” Piastri told Autosport.
Piastri further added, “He’s said some funny things in the past couple of weeks. We’ll see. It’s just one race, and Melbourne has been a competitive track for us, even when our car wasn’t as dominant as Red Bull’s. We’ll go to tracks where we’ll likely struggle more, for sure.”
Norris’ struggles with car handling
While Norris acknowledged that driving the car remains a challenge, Piastri agreed with his teammate’s sentiments. After the race, Norris remarked that while the car is improving, it’s still difficult to manage, and he believes the next few races will be crucial for refining its setup.
“I’ve reached a point where I’ve accepted that you can’t have a car that suits your driving style perfectly,” Norris said. “It’s probably a tricky car to drive and put together consistent laps, but clearly, it’s taken a step forward compared to last year.”
