Just one year ago, McLaren owned the streets of Singapore. The team’s 2024 victory was a masterclass in control and pace — Oscar Piastri on pole, Lando Norris right behind, and a crushing 20-second gap at the finish. Fast forward to 2025, and that dominance feels like a distant memory. The once untouchable outfit now finds itself the third-best team, behind Mercedes and Red Bull, as the Marina Bay Circuit exposed every weakness of the MCL39.
In qualifying, George Russell claimed a commanding pole for Mercedes with a 1:29.158, Max Verstappen slotted in second for Red Bull, and championship leader Oscar Piastri managed only third. Norris, visibly frustrated, could do no better than fifth. For a team that has failed to secure pole for three consecutive races, questions are piling up — what went wrong?
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Russell’s Dominance Sends a Warning
Russell’s blistering pace told the story. His lap was nearly half a second quicker than Norris’s best effort, and even the usually composed Brit didn’t mince words after qualifying.
“We’re simply not fast enough,” Norris admitted. “There’s no way we could have matched those times today. Last year, we had the upper hand. Now the tables have turned.”
McLaren’s early-season form was built on excellent tire management and mechanical balance, especially on long runs. But in Singapore, those strengths vanished. As Norris put it bluntly, “The car just doesn’t work the way I need it to.”
The Front Tire Nightmare
At the heart of McLaren’s slump lies a recurring theme — the front tires. Norris described the situation as “understeer hell,” explaining that the front end of the car simply refuses to bite.
“Everyone’s struggling with the front this weekend, and that’s our weak spot,” he said. “You turn the wheel, and nothing happens. You lose corner speed, and then you lose traction out.”
Part of the problem comes from the track itself. Singapore’s surface was partially resurfaced this year, offering more grip but redistributing balance toward the rear of the car. That shift made the MCL39’s already sensitive front end even less responsive.
Team principal Andrea Stella added that McLaren’s struggles are linked to the 2025 Pirelli compounds. “The new tires put us at a disadvantage on stop-and-go circuits,” he explained, noting that McLaren ended MCL39’s development early while rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes continued refining their packages.
Déjà Vu: Mercedes Thrives When McLaren Falters
Norris compared the current situation to last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, where McLaren also battled front-end issues and Mercedes capitalized with a one-two finish. The same pattern appeared again this weekend — a front-limited track where the Silver Arrows excel and McLaren falters.
Circuits like Las Vegas, Canada, and now Singapore share a common trait: short, slow corners that emphasize braking stability and traction. The upcoming US Grand Prix could prove another difficult outing if McLaren cannot find a fix.
Adding to their worries, the MCL39 has also shown discomfort on low-downforce setups. When grip drops and the car slides more, its balance problems amplify. “It’s just not clicking,” Norris admitted.
The Suspension Dilemma
Dig a little deeper, and another culprit emerges — McLaren’s front suspension. The team introduced a new setup this season designed to reduce forward dive under braking, improving aerodynamic consistency. But the side effect has been less feedback through the steering and less compliance over bumps.
“I felt comfortable on the medium tires,” Norris said. “But once we switched to the softs, the front just vanished. It’s the same issue we’ve been fighting all year.”
The anti-dive suspension geometry helps McLaren maintain floor stability but compromises mechanical grip — something drivers rely on when aerodynamic load is lower, as it often is on street circuits. That trade-off has come back to bite, especially in hot, high-grip conditions like Singapore.
Hoping for Redemption in the Race
Despite the setbacks, Norris remains cautiously hopeful. “I think we’ll be a bit better in the race,” he said. “But we’re just not quick enough right now.”
The Singapore Grand Prix is notorious for its high tire degradation and brutal humidity, and over 63 laps, McLaren’s strength in managing tire life could still come into play. But a 0.6-second qualifying deficit is hard to ignore.
For Piastri, third place was a small victory — a sign that the car still has pace in the right conditions. For Norris, chasing a title, it was another missed opportunity.
Stella summed up the situation quietly after qualifying. “We knew this weekend would be tough,” he said. “We’ll focus on maximizing what we have and learning for the next rounds.”
McLaren’s title challenge isn’t over, but it’s clear the team has hit a wall — both literally and figuratively. From Singapore glory to understeer frustration, the papaya squad has gone from predator to prey in just one season.
