Lando Norris believes McLaren must raise their performance after two underwhelming race weekends in Baku and Malaysia. With straight-line speed issues affecting his results, the Briton hopes the team can recover their earlier pace at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Key Highlights
- Norris admits McLaren’s struggles: The Briton says both he and the team have underperformed in Baku and Malaysia.
- Straight-line speed remains a concern: Norris hopes McLaren have resolved the issue that hurt his performance in recent races.
- Singapore offers a fresh test: McLaren will assess whether their pace improves at a circuit where Norris won in 2024.
- Constructors’ Championship pressure grows: McLaren sit third with 316 points, just 18 ahead of Red Bull.
McLaren Search for Answers After Baku and Malaysia
McLaren appeared to be gaining momentum after mid-season upgrades helped Norris secure three pole positions and two victories across the Budapest, Zandvoort, Monza and Madrid rounds. However, the team struggled to maintain that form in Baku and Sepang. Neither Norris nor team-mate Oscar Piastri reached the podium, while Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari appeared to hold a pace advantage in Malaysia.
Speaking ahead of the Singapore GP, Norris said the team had spent considerable time reviewing the recent setbacks and identifying areas for improvement. He pointed to both personal mistakes and technical limitations, including the straight-line speed problems that have affected his car. McLaren are also working to unlock more performance to match the level they showed earlier in the season.
Straight-Line Speed Issues Remain a Concern
Norris stressed that McLaren’s recent struggles cannot be attributed solely to the Sepang circuit. Although Malaysia’s bumpy surface may have contributed to the performance deficit, he believes the team must improve regardless of the track.
The Briton described the past two weekends as frustrating, particularly because the lack of straight-line speed has cost him valuable positions in qualifying.
With the competition at the front so close, even a small loss of performance can make a significant difference. Norris said he was hopeful that McLaren’s work behind the scenes would produce improvements in Singapore, but added that the team would need to test the changes on track before concluding.
Norris Hopes Singapore Can Bring McLaren Back on Track
Singapore could provide a useful opportunity for McLaren to assess whether their performance has improved. Norris has enjoyed success at Marina Bay, winning the race in 2024 and finishing on the podium in both 2023 and 2025. He also noted that straight-line speed is less critical at Singapore than it was at the previous two circuits.
Nevertheless, he insisted that McLaren still need to maximise their overall performance if they want to challenge at the front. Norris remains confident that the team have worked hard to understand the issues, although he acknowledged that he also has areas to improve.
McLaren Face Constructors’ Championship Pressure
McLaren arrive in Singapore third in the Constructors’ Championship with 316 points, trailing Ferrari on 405 and championship leaders Mercedes on 556. They are also just 18 points ahead of fourth-placed Red Bull, adding further importance to their efforts to recover form.
After two races without a podium, McLaren will be eager to close the gap to the leading teams and protect their position in the standings. Singapore will offer an early indication of whether the team can turn its recent analysis into stronger on-track results.
