Lando Norris slotted a fourth‑place pace in Monza’s second practice, falling behind George Russell by a solid 0.384 seconds.
McLaren’s Fast‑Straight Deficit
GPS telemetry highlighted that both Norris and Oscar Piastri lose time on the long straights versus Russell, hinting at the MCL40’s limited aerodynamic efficiency and its battery deployment strategy.
While the team’s performance in the slower chicanes matched expectations, the fast Variante Ascari nine‑th‑speed zone proved a weak point, costing them close to a tenth of a second.
Balance and the New H‑Wing
Tech chief Neil Houldey confirmed that the rotating rear wing—styled the “H‑Wing” after Ferrari’s early adoption—performed as anticipated during factory testing and should add fresh speed for the weekend.
Houldey added that fine‑tuning energy management remains a priority; better harvesting and deployment can still shave fractions of a second.
Driver Perspectives and Team Outlook
Norris admitted that McLaren is “not in the fight for pole” but will aim for a solid finish after triumphant runs in Hungary and the Netherlands.
He noted that the midfield can surprise “with the relative gap to the front row,” keeping the campaign tense through to the Italian Grand Prix.
Competitive Threats on Track
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc powered the Red Bull‑powered Ferrari ahead in FP2, thanks to refined power‑unit tweaks and track‑specific aerodynamics.
McLaren’s preparedness to defend against a revival from competitors will be tested once the race weekend starts.
The driving line that saw Norris hold his own against Russell through the first and second chicanes remains a bright spot for the 2026 car, yet the overarching deficit on the straights and the Variante Ascari chicane suggest that McLaren still struggles to match Mercedes’ Pace.
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