Key Highlights:
- Lando Norris revealed that McLaren is losing nearly two-tenths of a second per lap due to a recurring straightline speed deficit.
- The British driver endured a difficult race, suffering from an initial tyre mismatch and an off-track excursion into the gravel following a safety car restart.
- Norris managed to salvage a ninth-place finish with two championship points, while team-mate Oscar Piastri took sixth and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed victory.
Straightline Speed Deficit Thwarts McLaren’s Race Pace
Lando Norris has voiced serious frustration regarding McLaren’s persistent straightline speed deficit, disclosing that the aerodynamic and top-speed shortfall is costing him almost two-tenths of a second on every single lap. The British driver, described as the 2025 champion, endured an uphill battle throughout the Bahrain Grand Prix at Malaysia, describing the competitive disadvantage over a full race distance as deeply taxing.
When questioned about whether McLaren could implement an aerodynamic fix or top-speed solution ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Norris admitted uncertainty about an immediate resolution. Addressing the cumulative cost of the mechanical struggle, Norris said:
“I have no idea. The team are trying, but I’m losing almost two tenths every lap. Two tenths a lap over 55 laps, it’s just painful as hell, so it’s making my life pretty damn difficult.
“But there are also other things. Today, I could have done better, so I can’t just have that. That’s not just an excuse, but there are also things I can do better, and the team to do better as well.”
Strategic Miscalculations and a Safety Car Excursion
The race unraveled early for Norris after he launched from fifth on the grid. McLaren opted to start him on medium compound tyres, which quickly proved disadvantageous when track conditions dictated that intermediate tyres were the superior choice. The resulting drop plummeted Norris down the order to 16th place.
Although he fought his way back into the top ten, a chaotic safety car restart delivered another setback. Caught out by an unexpected accordion effect among the pack ahead, Norris was forced into evasive maneuvers to avoid contact, sliding off the racing surface and through the gravel trap. The mistake relegated him from eighth down to 11th.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the checkered flag, Norris reflected on the incident:
“I just couldn’t see from my angle how much they literally just stopped on the racing line,
“At the end of the day, it’s my job to judge that kind of thing, but that was not a normal situation, so it caught me out. I don’t really have anyone else to blame but myself, but there was nothing else I could do in that situation.”
Recovery to the Points as Verstappen Takes the Win
Despite the straightline struggles and his trip through the gravel, Norris managed to recover into the points, crossing the finish line in ninth place to secure two championship points. His McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri fared better in the adverse conditions, driving to a sixth-place result.
At the front of the field, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen capitalized on his performance to capture his first victory of the season, showcasing the benchmark pace that McLaren is working to overcome.
Why This Matters
A deficit of two-tenths per lap on straightaways adds up to double-digit time losses across a standard 55-lap Grand Prix, presenting an immense barrier for McLaren’s hopes of fighting for race wins. While the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix takes place on a tighter, street-style circuit where top-end drag is often less punishing than at high-speed venues, McLaren must find aerodynamic efficiency and powertrain performance to stay competitive across varied track layouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time is McLaren losing on the straights?
According to Lando Norris, the car’s straightline speed deficit costs him nearly two-tenths of a second on every lap, translating to an accumulated loss over a 55-lap race distance.
What caused Norris to drop down the field early in the race?
Norris started from fifth on medium tyres, but intermediates quickly proved to be the correct choice for the track conditions, causing him to slide down to 16th position before later running through the gravel on a safety car restart.
Where did the McLaren drivers finish?
Lando Norris recovered to finish in ninth place to earn two points, while McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri finished sixth. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race.
