McLaren chief Andrea Stella said the former F1 champion Lando Norris is losing 0.1‑0.2 seconds per lap due to a Mercedes power‑unit shortfall in straight‑line speed.
Power‑unit diagnostics reveal subtle loss
During the Baku weekend, Norris flagged a recurring deficit across the long swerve and front straight. Stella explained that the issue is not a deployment fault but a more nuanced shortfall in power output, hard to spot because the car’s telemetry does not flag it directly.
“We can see a lack of acceleration and a marginal drop in top speed,” Stella said. “The data show a reducer in the power‑limited section; it’s not a build‑up error but a straight‑line throttle response,” he added.
Around 0.15 s per lap – measurable impact
Stella quantified the effect in the range of 0.10 to 0.20 seconds per lap. Using statistical assessment, the team estimates the straight‑line deficit amounts to roughly one to two kilometres per hour, a small quantity that, however, is critical in a sport where a tenth of a second can determine a grid position.
This loss is evident on the latter half of the lap, notably between Turns 13 and 14 and the back straight leading to Turn 15, where the rival put Piastri out ahead by a margin that can be linked to the power shortfall.
How chassis and drag interlace with the unit
Stella emphasised that power and aerodynamics are interconnected. “Both the power unit and chassis contain parameters that influence drag and acceleration,” he noted. “While the unit’s shortfall is apparent, other external factors—such as aero development or suspension tuning—could be amplifying the loss.”
He clarified that the team has consciously avoided attributing blame to Mercedes’ High‑Performance Powertrains division, instead focusing on rectifying the in‑car deficit.
McLaren’s corrective path and next coverage
The team will pursue adjustments on the car’s gearing and aerodynamic balance to reclaim lost speed, seeking comprehensive changes for the forthcoming Bahrain GP and onward races. Stella hinted that further studies will take place in Singapore, where Mercedes’ power‑unit uncertainty may once again need attention.
With a clear diagnostic, McLaren is ready to mitigate the straight‑line deficit before the next race, aiming to restore Norris to the swift line the team has historically delivered.
"