Following a disappointing home race in Melbourne, Oscar Piastri’s redemption drive at the F1 Chinese GP saw him victorious last Sunday ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris. The Woking-based team’s performance continues on an upward trajectory as they claimed their third victory in a row.
In 2025, the MCL39 has clearly set the standards in the paddock as the race car to beat. Overshadowed by the car’s success, some comments the McLaren duo had to say about the MCL39 appeared to be head-scratching to some.
Ahead of the Chinese GP, both Piastri and his teammate, Lando Norris, revealed their car is still yet to find an ideal spot in order for the both of them to extract maximum performance. However, not many in the paddock believed this.
With the triple-header upcoming, the pressure and expectations on the reigning constructors champions are higher than ever as they aim to further extend their lead.
Eager for more improvement
Speaking in his print media session, Piastri acknowledged some of the problems with the drivability of the MCL39. When asked about what issues the Australian had with the car, the McLaren driver admitted that there are still missing characteristics in what he looks for in car that suits his driving.
“I mean, I think it’s got some characteristics that, yes, if I was to design a perfect race car of what I wanted to do and not do, it doesn’t do everything I want.”
However, the Australian was realistic about finding the right balance of perfection in a race car. Piastri suggested a reason to this could be due to the current set of regulations alongside the understanding of the Pirelli tyres each weekend.
“But I think that’s just inherent with this regulation, with the tyres we have, and I don’t think any racing driver has ever driven a race car that is perfect for them. Or maybe they can count on one hand the amount of times that’s happened.”
General consensus on adaptability to fit the MCL39
Adaptability was a recurring answer, both Norris and Piastri outlined, when asked about the drivability of the MCL39. In his third season with the team, Piastri’s adaptability to the car has seemingly translated into his podium and win success in recent years.
“For me, it’s a pretty natural process of adapting to the car that you have. Like we’ve said, clearly it is fast, but there’s definitely still things that we want to push on. We want to make things a little bit easier for us to drive. And I think it has been, certainly in my time with the team, a time of adapting to certain things with the car.”
The Australian’s adaptability is unquestionable and was often reflected in his success in junior categories. Thus, the move into Formula 1 seemed like a seamless transition for Piastri.
“But I think that’s true in whatever team you’re in, whichever championship you’re in, you always need to adapt to something. So, yes, there’s probably things that I wish it did better, but I’m pretty happy with some of the things it’s doing. So, yes, I think it’s a pretty natural process, regardless of where you are in the pit lane.”
Norris echoes same thoughts
The 25 year-old was evidently more vocal about the struggles he had with the MCL39 compared to Piastri ahead of the F1 Chinese GP. Norris was thorough in his explanation on how McLaren’s development over the years has taught himself a lot on his adaptability to a car.
Norris said: “Not what I like but at the same time some of it is down to the adaptation, needing to change my driving style every year, because the car I drive is very different to what McLaren was a few years ago, clearly, because then we were at the back and now, we’re at the front. But some things carry on. Some things are like ‘this is a McLaren’ for those reasons and I’ve only ever driven McLarens, so that’s all I know.
“It’s not the most comfortable, it’s not what I like the most, it’s now what I can get the most out of but over the last year and a half, I’ve probably learned more about my driving than I did in the previous five years, just because the car has changed, and I’ve fallen into this philosophy of give me the best car and I’ll adapt to that rather than give me the car I want.”
Whilst Norris’ longevity with the team has undeniably provided the Woking-based team’s with stability, Piastri’s recent contract extension locks in their driver lineup for the foreseeable future and provides the team with a great basis for long-term goals.
Will McLaren be able to keep their competitors behind?
In a season turning out to be closer than ever, McLaren will be wary of their competitors in the paddock. As the current generation of cars and regulations come to an end this year, the Woking-based team has secured their future and is focused on their impressive trajectory. Heading into the next race, McLaren would hope to continue their success streak in the first of three consecutive rounds in Japan.
