Speaking at Singapore Grand Prix media day on October 8, Lando Norris said McLaren had focused its investigation on the straight-line speed problem that persisted over the previous two rounds. He hoped for improvement this weekend but said it had to be verified on track. In an interview published by F1 that day, he also acknowledged that both the drivers and the team had recently fallen below the required standard and needed to do better.
Better exits do not bring the corresponding straight speed
Norris said one frustration was that he sometimes exited a corner better yet was slower on the following straight. In his assessment, the deficit had cost two or three positions in the recent qualifying contests at the last two rounds.
Post-Sepang work covers both this issue and restoring previous overall form. He disclosed no technical specifics, citing considerable effort and execution lessons for the drivers.
Baku was also slow, so Sepang's surface is not the whole explanation
Rough Sepang may matter, he said, but Baku also lacked speed. Neither layout suited McLaren like Madrid, yet performance must improve regardless.
Singapore brought his 2024 pole-to-win and 2023 and 2025 podiums. But straights matter less here than recently. A suitable layout offers opportunity while changing observation conditions.
INKA SPORTS analysis: Better positions and a repaired straight-line deficit differ
A persistent issue and a circuit reducing its lap-time effect can coexist. Improved positions might reflect suitability rather than the specific repair, as his three-venue comparison indicates.
Testing the issue needs team confirmation of expected speed and comparable exit, slipstream and energy data. Final position still matters but includes corners, execution and rivals. The investigation's result awaits running.
Conclusion
McLaren wants mid-season competitiveness back, with the straight-line fix still unverified. Overall recovery delivers results; expected straight speed directly answers the investigation.
