Why McLaren updated its suspension for F1 Canadian GP but Piastri chose not to run it

One of the three updates registered by McLaren for Formula 1’s Canadian Grand Prix related to the front suspension – with a very small geometrical change to the package run throughout the opening third of the 2025 season.

After it was tested through free practice, Lando Norris elected to stick with it for qualifying, while championship leader Oscar Piastri chose to revert to the regular specification he has used to great effect so far this year.

Team principal Andrea Stella explained that, although the physical differences were almost imperceptible, the new suspension package was designed in mind with offering the drivers slightly more feedback at the front end.

This tallies with earlier assertions that the MCL39 tends to feel “numb” – in Stella’s words – to the drivers; although this is something that Piastri has been able to deal with, Norris has struggled with the reduced sensitivity in the overall design. 

Stella says that the package does not directly impact the car’s performance, and that it was open to both drivers to take it.

“We were experimenting the suspension on Lando’s side because, in a way, the suspension change is aimed at passing a bit more feeling through the suspension and the steering to our drivers,” Stella explained.

“And in this respect, I think in itself it’s such a small change that it’s difficult for drivers to isolate the effect unless you do a back-to-back comparison, which is always very difficult to do in a race weekend.

“But from Lando’s point of view, there were no downsides. Despite the result that we had in Q3 with Lando, and despite the difficulties that we’ve had with the car, pretty much right away, I think Lando has actually been competitive, especially compared to Oscar throughout the weekend – but just losing a bit the rhythm in Q3. 

“So we think that the experimentation of the front suspension is a successful one. And it’s a preference, it’s a set-up option in a way that might be even different across drivers depending on their requirements from a driving point of view.

“We are talking about minor changes from a suspension geometry point of view. Certainly nothing that is dramatically impactful from a performance point of view. 

“Like I said before, it just affects the way in which the drivers perceive what’s happening at the tyre through the front suspension and the steering.”

Norris confirmed after qualifying that the suspension changes had not yielded any extra performance, but had generally felt confident through the weekend before knocking the wall on his final Q3 run.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

Furthermore, Stella was keen to point out that it was simply another variation in set-up options for the two drivers to explore, mainly to ensure that both drivers could work with the MCL39 on a similar level.

“It really has to do with some preferential aspects in terms of how drivers drive the car rather than an increase of grip on the car,” he added. “So I think it’s in itself a small difference in case this is adopted with different specifications between the two drivers.

“And let me say that there are some other things from a suspension point of view that are actually slightly different between Lando and Oscar. But like I said, they are part of some minor parameters. And certainly nothing that has any political reflection. In itself it’s just a set of preferences. It’s not a difference in car specification.”

Piastri explained following his run to third on the grid in qualifying why he’d chosen not to run the package, stating that he wanted to retain consistency in his car – especially after a difficult run through the weekend.

The Australian had not looked particularly comfortable in practice, culminating in a bash against the Turn 14 exit wall that knocked his rear-right tyre off the rim.

“I’m not that concerned really. I’m not going to get into too much detail on it, but I could have run it if I wanted to, and I didn’t really,” Piastri said.

“It changes some things; some things are better, some things are worse. It’s not as simple. It’s not an upgrade, it’s a different part. I had the option to run it but chose not to. I’ve been happy with how the car’s been so far this year and, again, just wanted to keep consistency.”