Will McLaren Continue Running Different Suspension Systems?
After testing in Montreal, Lando Norris has taken McLaren’s new suspension system to two Grand Prix victories in a row. The upgrade was implemented as a response to Norris’ complaints about his ability to feel the car on turns. Though subtle, Norris acknowledges that the new system is an improvement. His teammate disagrees.
There’s no doubt that McLaren has an impressive car this year, but they’ve taken it a step further with a small change that might be giving Norris an edge. Despite a strong showing at the start of the season, Norris struggled to keep up with his teammate leading up to the Austrian Grand Prix. The new development is difficult to discern, a minor change to the front wing, but the result is that Norris has a greater feel for the car. While he has stated that the suspension change has been positive for him, he believes that the effect on his performance has not been dramatic. Instead, he credits his own hard work for his recent successes in Austria and Britain.
Having also tested the new system, Oscar Piastri’s comments seem to support his teammate’s assessment. Unlike Norris, who took issue with the car at the start of the season, Piastri felt comfortable in the car before the Grand Prix of Montreal. He agreed that the new suspension system made a notable difference, but didn’t feel the need to use it himself, saying that the standard system worked better for his style. As a result, Piastri has rejected using the new system in a grand prix thus far, and isn’t likely to change his mind. Without the two drivers in agreement, McLaren has allowed them to use the different systems for the time being.
With consecutive one-two grand prix victories and a 240-point lead in the 2025 Constructors’ standings, it’s hard to imagine McLaren being dissatisfied with their drivers’ performances. Though Norris has claimed the victory from Piastri in Austria and Britain, many attribute his success to external factors, such as the 10-second penalty Piastri received at the Grand Prix of Silverstone. As it stands, it is too early to tell how much the new suspension is helping Norris, if at all. While McLaren is unlikely to make Piastri adopt the new system at present, things may change depending on his performance in the upcoming grand prix as we near the midway point of the season.
