McLaren MCL39 “in same ballpark” as 2024 car, but rear end should improve

Lando Norris offered his first verdict of the new McLaren MCL39 which he feels is “similar” to its Formula 1 title-winning predecessor – but with a little bit of initial rear-end instability.

The Briton headlined the opening day of testing to suggest McLaren had picked up from where it left off in 2024’s Abu Dhabi finale, where Norris won from pole. Oscar Piastri took control of the MCL39 in both morning sessions in the opening two days, with Norris pencilled in for the afternoon/evening running.

Asked to relay his feelings of the new car, Norris explained that there were ultimately similarities with how last year’s MCL38 felt, although explained that the team had not yet pushed its new car with any performance runs.

In response to a question from Autosport about the car potentially handling well, aside from the occasional moments of rear-end sliding, Norris confirmed that everything felt “correct” despite a few struggles with the rear axle.

“It feels similar – that’s what I said in the interviews earlier. It feels similar, which is a good start,” Norris said. “That’s where we wanted to start, at least.

“Nothing’s been majorly addressed. Let’s say it’s not like that much has changed from what we’ve tried to do – we’ve just tried to make the car quicker all around and add more load. It’s a very simple way of looking at it, honestly.

“We still want to try and focus on some areas more than others. Like you’re saying, we’ve struggled a bit more with the rear than what we would have liked over yesterday and today. But it’s still early days. We’re not looking at absolute outright performance.”

Norris explained that he expected McLaren to remain in the mix with Ferrari and Red Bull for 2025 silverware, and that the MCL39’s qualities would start to show a little bit more with more performance-focused runs in the second day’s afternoon session and on the final day.

The Somerset native did not feel that the new car would offer a colossal step over its rivals, but hoped it would allow him to fight for honours from the beginning of the year – which would contrast to the team’s past two seasons.

“If we went into qualifying now, I’m sure we would change some things,” Norris added. “But a lot of today and yesterday has been just ticking the boxes. It’s not the fun bit.

“The fun will come this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Along those lines, I think if we want to improve anything at the minute, it’s still the rear of the car. The more you can improve the rear, the more everything just gets better.

“But the rest of it feels correct and it feels like it’s in the same ballpark. That’s what we want. I don’t think we’re expecting to be a big step ahead of anyone.

“We’re expecting to be tied alongside the guys to my right. But if we’re just there fighting from the beginning, that’s our target. Considering how the last few years have been, if we can just be there fighting from the off, then we’ll be happy.”