Lando Norris left the Monza paddock on Friday with a blunt assessment of his team's qualifying chances. The British driver told reporters that McLaren are "not in the fight for pole at all" after a practice session that saw the team struggle to find the right set‑up on the high‑speed Italian circuit.
According to Formula1.com, Norris highlighted a lack of straight‑line speed and tyre degradation as the primary hurdles. "We just haven't got the package to be up there on the grid," he said, adding that the team will focus on extracting the maximum from the remaining practice runs and the upcoming qualifying session. The comments came after McLaren posted the slowest times in both Friday practice sessions, trailing the front‑running Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes by a significant margin.
McLaren's technical director, James Key, has previously noted that the team's 2024 car struggles with low‑downforce circuits, and Monza – with its long straights and minimal braking zones – amplifies those weaknesses. The team is expected to experiment with a lower‑drag aerodynamic configuration and a different tyre strategy in an attempt to close the gap. However, Norris' remarks suggest that even with those tweaks, a pole‑position challenge remains a long shot.
For Indian fans, the Monza Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode, with the race kicking off at 16:00 IST on Sunday. The qualifying session, which determines the starting grid, is scheduled for Saturday at 14:00 IST. Norris' candid comments set the tone for a weekend where McLaren will likely be fighting for the best possible finish rather than a front‑row start.
While the team may not be in pole contention, McLaren will still aim to capitalize on any strategic opportunities that arise during the race, especially as the Italian Grand Prix often produces surprise results due to its unique demands on tyre wear and fuel management. Indian viewers can keep an eye on the team's pit‑stop strategy and any mid‑race upgrades that could improve their position.
Source: Formula1.com
