McLaren Optimistic Despite Ferrari's Dominance in Monaco

McLaren, following strong performances in the last two races, entered the Monaco Grand Prix with optimism. However, despite recent upgrades to the MCL38 that made it the fastest car in Miami, Lando Norris feels the team still falls short compared to Ferrari. This weekend, McLaren is honoring Ayrton Senna with a special livery on the MCL38. Despite this tribute, McLaren struggled to challenge the front runners on Friday. Norris ended the day as the faster of the two McLaren drivers, finishing fifth about seven-tenths of a second behind Charles Leclerc’s fastest time.

Reflecting on the day, Norris noted concerns about Ferrari’s pace: “We’re performing well, but not in terms of speed,” he said. “It’s always challenging here, but it’s good to be back on this track. Today was decent, though we’re a bit behind Charles and Ferrari. Mercedes has also shown impressive speed. It’s tight because of the track’s nature, but we’re in the mix, which is crucial.”

Norris’s comments mirror those of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, who also see Ferrari as a strong contender. However, Norris remains hopeful about closing the gap: “Low-speed grip is crucial here. We need to adjust the balance for better performance over bumps while maintaining overall performance. It’s a complex trade-off, but we tried several things today. Hopefully, we can refine them for tomorrow.”

Oscar Piastri, who secured a podium in Emilia Romagna, finished Friday’s session 1.1 seconds off Leclerc’s pace but remains optimistic. He acknowledges the strength of rival teams: “Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes all look strong, making it very competitive at the front. But it’s been a positive day overall.”

When asked about his potential qualifying position, Piastri responded humorously: “We could be first or eighth! Even Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso looked good today. It’s very tight, so whoever nails their lap will likely come out on top.” Piastri’s outlook highlights the unpredictability of the weekend, emphasizing the importance of fine-tuning the cars and the significant role of driver performance.