Pinpointing the exact causes of Lando Norris' struggles with McLaren's 2025 Formula 1 car is proving difficult for the team, given the wide-ranging changes between the MCL39 and its predecessor.

Norris has for a considerable time been unimpressed by specific characteristics that dictate how McLaren’s line of vehicles should be operated, particularly in slow-speed turns. With the squad making significant progress throughout 2024, propelling Norris into becoming a frequent podium finisher, he also grew increasingly attuned to his vehicle.

But, while McLaren began 2025 with the same robust foundation it ended last season on, and Oscar Piastri As the team has progressed, making another leap in performance, Norris now finds it significantly more challenging to synchronize with the updated equipment. McLaren remains uncertain about how to address this issue effectively at present.

The reason why there has been such a dramatic swing in form - and with it driver confidence - despite these stable regulations is that McLaren has made sweeping changes to its car to try and retain its advantage, rather than go for the safe route.

It seems to have worked out well overall, with McLaren securing victories in three of the initial four races. However, this success appears to have disrupted Norris’s performance as well.

Following last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Norris was typically self-critical for failing to assist McLaren secure an anticipated 1-2 victory behind Piastri, as team principal Andrea Stella pledged his commitment to turning this around. The team would bear part of the responsibility. And assist the 25-year-old in better synchronizing his gear.

However, this proves challenging as McLaren’s performance technology director, Mark Temple, elucidates that Norris’ difficulties are highly intricate and delicate. It becomes arduous to precisely identify which specific yearly design modification is responsible for these issues.

It’s quite intriguing, and this has come up frequently in our discussions with Lando,” Temple stated in Jeddah. “Undoubtedly, he is an exceptionally gifted and meticulously trained driver and athlete. His high sensitivity towards the vehicle really reflects in how he performs.

Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, Lando Norris from McLaren

Photo credit: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

What this implies is that we aren’t exactly sure which specific modifications [are responsible for it]. While we understand the alterations made to the car, figuring out each individual contribution to the sensation of not being fully tuned in can be quite challenging.

We are extensively discussing this with him, examining the data, and comprehending the modifications we have implemented. It’s clear that there isn’t anything straightforward we can point to and say, ‘That’s everything we need to adjust.’

McLaren must proceed cautiously as well since any significant modifications aimed at assisting Norris might also compromise the vehicle’s maximum performance capability, something Piastri finds easier to maximize given his distinct driving approach.

Temple warned, "We truly have to delve into the specifics and adopt a thoughtful, cautious strategy to ensure we don’t compromise the car’s performance or end up making things more difficult for him."

We have certainly analyzed the past few races; perhaps some small adjustments could be beneficial, but he should also focus on his driving style and comprehend personally how the vehicle performs.

It seems Norris isn’t having trouble in just one specific area, as he explained following his third-place finish in Bahrain. He mentioned that this year, it’s significantly more challenging for him to predict how the car will behave through each turn compared to last season.

“I can’t perform any of the laps as I did during the previous season,” stated Norris. “Last year, I understood each individual turn, anticipated exactly what would occur with the vehicle – and how it would unfold. It felt like I had complete control over the car.”

This year has been quite different for me up until now. In Australia, regardless of winning the race or not, I didn’t feel at ease. The vehicle performed exceptionally well, which helped solve many issues temporarily; however, my current abilities fall short of what they should be.

I invested considerable effort into understanding the differences between this year and last year. Am I the one who has changed, or is it something about the vehicle? This situation is complex. Nonetheless, I am not questioning my abilities, despite how it might occasionally appear.