Norris admits McLaren 'struggling for pace' after tough Friday at Monza

Lando Norris admitted McLaren are 'struggling for pace' after a tough Friday at Monza, ending FP2 fourth, four tenths off George Russell. The defending champion said the car is losing time everywhere, especially in high-speed corners, where McLaren are usually strong. Lewis Hamilton also revealed Ferrari's key weakness: a straight-line speed deficit of six tenths to Russell.

Why it matters:

McLaren have been the benchmark in recent weekends, so this drop at a power-sensitive circuit raises questions about their title challenge. For Ferrari, Hamilton's comments highlight a fundamental issue that could compromise their home race.

The details:

• Norris was sixth in FP1 and fourth in FP2, four tenths off the pace.
• "We're struggling for pace quite a lot more than the last few. We're not in as good of a position," he said, adding the car is "off the pace everywhere."
• Hamilton reported losing "six tenths to George just in the straights" and struggled with balance, making it hard to pull a lap together.

Between the lines:

The high-speed deficit is concerning for McLaren, as that has been their strength all season. Monza's low-downforce layout may be exposing a weakness, or they simply missed the setup window.

What's next:

Both teams will work overnight to find improvements. McLaren need to recover their usual pace, while Ferrari will address their straight-line speed issue before qualifying.