Lando Norris expresses concern regarding McLaren pace at Italian Grand Prix
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 6:53 AM
Last updated Sep 5, 2026
Lando Norris finished fourth in Friday practice at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, finishing 0.384 seconds off the lead pace set by Mercedes. The McLaren driver stated he does not expect to challenge for pole position during the upcoming qualifying session. Norris noted that the team struggled with pace in corners where they previously expected to be competitive. McLaren Technical Director of Applied Engineering Neil Houldey acknowledged the gap but remains optimistic about finding more performance through setup changes and improved energy deployment. The team successfully tested new aerodynamic parts, specifically the H-Wing, throughout the Friday sessions. McLaren intends to finalize adjustments before Saturday's qualifying to narrow the performance margin.
- •Lando Norris ended Friday practice in fourth position at Monza.
- •McLaren introduced and successfully tested new aerodynamic H-Wing components.
- •Technical staff identified potential gains in energy harvest and deployment.
- •The team trails the Mercedes and Ferrari cars by nearly four tenths of a second.
- 6:53 AMYahoo Sports — Norris flags worrying Friday form: 'We're struggling for pace'
- 5:35 PMMotorsport.com — McLaren "not in the fight for Italian GP pole", admits downbeat Lando Norris
- 5:35 PMYahoo Sports — McLaren "not in the fight for Italian GP pole", admits downbeat Lando Norris
"After completing two practice sessions on Monza's Temple of Speed, reigning world champion Lando Norris has found few reasons to believe he can deliver a hat-trick of Formula 1 wins at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. Norris claimed fourth in Monza's second practice outing, 0.384s behind Mercedes' George Russell, as he sounded surprised by McLaren's relative lack of pace compared to the ...Keep reading
"Lando Norris and McLaren experienced a difficult Friday when it came to finding pace compared to their rivals, according to the defending world champion. On Friday afternoon, after finishing sixth in FP1, Norris set only the fourth quickest time in FP2.
"Lando Norris cut a downbeat figure after Friday practice at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, claiming that McLaren are “not in the fight for pole at all” as things stand.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 6:53 AMNorris flags worrying Friday form: 'We're struggling for pace'
Lando Norris and McLaren experienced a difficult Friday when it came to finding pace compared to their rivals, according to the defending world champion. On Friday afternoon, after finishing sixth in FP1, Norris set only the fourth quickest time in FP2.
- Motorsport.comSep 4, 2026, 5:35 PMMcLaren "not in the fight for Italian GP pole", admits downbeat Lando Norris
After completing two practice sessions on Monza's Temple of Speed, reigning world champion Lando Norris has found few reasons to believe he can deliver a hat-trick of Formula 1 wins at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. Norris claimed fourth in Monza's second practice outing, 0.384s behind Mercedes' George Russell, as he sounded surprised by McLaren's relative lack of pace compared to the ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 5:35 PMMcLaren "not in the fight for Italian GP pole", admits downbeat Lando Norris
Lando Norris sounded baffled after Friday practice at Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix as McLaren was "bad in the corners we expected to be good at"
- Formula1.com—Norris claims McLaren ‘not in the fight for pole at all’
Lando Norris cut a downbeat figure after Friday practice at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, claiming that McLaren are “not in the fight for pole at all” as things stand.
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