Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal, has explained why the team did not fully meet expectations during the 2025 Italian Grand Prix. Although Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri secured second and third places behind reigning world champion Max Verstappen, the team found it tough to contend with Red Bull’s pace on the high-speed Monza circuit. The focus keyword, Lando Norris McLaren Italian GP, reflects this critical race weekend where McLaren’s potential and limitations were clearly on display.
During qualifying, the McLaren MCL39 was only able to secure second place, with Norris clocking a best lap time of 1:18.869. This was just behind Verstappen’s impressive 1:18.792 in the Red Bull RB21. Over the 53-lap race, Verstappen dominated from the front, finishing more than 19 seconds ahead of the runner-up, highlighting the gap McLaren faced despite its best efforts.
Technical Factors Impacting McLaren’s Race at Monza
Andrea Stella pointed out that the design of the McLaren car inherently favors tracks requiring steep rear wing setups for optimal efficiency. He noted,
“Generally speaking, I would say that our car, due to its design, achieves its best efficiency with a steep rear wing. The corners become a bit longer in the race because you brake earlier and accelerate later. This increases the amount of grip-limited area, which naturally makes our car more competitive. Even here, we’re the fastest in almost every corner, but there aren’t that many here. So there are only a few corners, and they’re also relatively short.”
Stella also highlighted Red Bull’s aerodynamic advantage at Monza:
“We have seen not only this weekend, but also in previous races, that Red Bull is able to maintain a fairly high aerodynamic efficiency of its car when the angle of attack of the rear wing is reduced. I think they have the best car at this level of downforce.”
McLaren’s Current Standing in the 2025 Season
Despite McLaren’s shortcomings at Monza, the team retains a commanding lead in the Constructors’ Championship, holding 617 points compared to Ferrari’s 280. Norris and Piastri, both in strong form, continue to lead among drivers, showcasing McLaren’s overall season strength despite individual race challenges.
Lando Norris Reflects on the Championship Battle with Oscar Piastri
The battle between teammates Norris and Piastri has intensified throughout 2025, with Piastri winning seven races and Norris five. The rivalry has brought them close on track multiple times, adding to the championship tension. On the dynamics of racing against a teammate, Norris reflected,
“But for the win? Then you would risk more. It also depends who you’re racing. That’s a really important factor. That’s part of being a racing driver: you’ve got to understand who you can take risks with, who you can’t, and when to take those risks. I think that’s a general thing, but it’s also something I think you have to understand a little bit more when you are fighting for a championship.”
After 16 races, Norris stands second in the drivers’ championship with 293 points, trailing Piastri’s 324. With eight races remaining, the intensity of their competition and the strategic approaches they adopt will be critical for the title outcome.
Looking Ahead to the Remaining 2025 Season
As the season progresses, McLaren’s ability to optimize car setup for various tracks and manage internal rivalries will be essential to maintain their leading position. The Italian GP exposed specific limitations on low-downforce tracks, but also affirmed the competitive pace McLaren possesses in many sectors. Observers and fans will keenly watch how Norris and Piastri balance competition and cooperation while chasing championship glory.
