Norris Downbeat as McLaren Loses Pace: 'Not in a Great Place'

Lando Norris cut a frustrated figure after Friday practice, admitting McLaren are "not in a great place" as the team struggled to match the pace of their rivals. The Briton, a consistent frontrunner in recent seasons, found himself further down the order than expected, with the car lacking balance and grip.

Why it matters:

McLaren's sudden loss of form is a major talking point. After establishing themselves as a benchmark team, any drop-off could have significant implications for the championship battle. With the field tighter than ever under the 2026 regulations, even a small deficit in pace can prove costly.

The details:

• Norris was visibly downbeat, describing the car as "difficult to drive" and struggling with rear instability through high-speed corners.
• The team tried different setups across both sessions, but neither produced the desired performance.
• Long-run pace was particularly concerning, with Norris reporting excessive tyre degradation and a lack of consistency.
• Both cars faced similar issues, suggesting a fundamental problem with the package rather than a driver-specific issue.

What's next:

The team will work overnight to understand the issues, but Norris remains cautious. He emphasized that the gap is not insurmountable but requires immediate progress. "We've been here before and turned it around, but we need to find answers fast," he said. With qualifying just a day away, McLaren face an uphill battle to recover lost ground.