McLaren has officially kicked off its 2025 Formula 1 campaign, becoming the first team to shakedown its new challenger, the MCL39, at Silverstone on Thursday. While the car features significant design tweaks, Lando Norris revealed that his first laps felt normal—a reassuring sign as McLaren pushes the boundaries in its final year under the current regulations.
Brave Risks and Cutting-Edge Innovations
Wrapped in a camo livery for its maiden run, the MCL39 boasts several notable design updates, including:
✅ A revised airbox and sidepod inlet
✅ A revamped front and rear suspension
✅ Further refinements under the ground effect regulations
McLaren’s Andrea Stella described the changes as “innovative”, emphasizing that the team has worked aggressively to maximize its marginal gains before Formula 1’s major regulation overhaul in 2026. CEO Zak Brown had previously hinted that McLaren was taking a “brave risk”, aiming to maintain its position as a championship contender.
But despite the aggressive design philosophy, Norris said the car handled as expected.
“It felt normal, I’d say, so that’s been the first good step,” Norris stated. “There have been some tricky elements with design, and we’ve tried to push boundaries. You’re always a little bit nervous that things might not be perfect, but everything worked as it should.”
While the wet conditions at Silverstone limited performance analysis, Norris was encouraged by the car’s initial reliability and consistency.
“Hopefully, Oscar [Piastri] gets some dry running later,” Norris added. “He can give some more feedback.”
Piastri: “McLaren Hasn’t Stood Still”
Oscar Piastri, entering his third season in Formula 1, echoed his teammate’s sentiments, acknowledging McLaren’s continuous development efforts.
“We’re going into the same regulations, but we’ve not stood still,” Piastri told Sky Sports F1. “There are some new innovations on this car. That’s what you need to do to stay at the top.”
Reflecting on McLaren’s 2024 Constructors’ Championship victory, Piastri emphasized that standing still isn’t an option, given how competitive the grid remains.
“Last season was incredibly tight, so you really can’t afford to be complacent. There are a lot of teams trying to overtake us.”
What’s Next for McLaren?
With pre-season testing in Bahrain just around the corner, McLaren’s MCL39 shakedown marks an early milestone in the team’s title defense campaign. If Norris and Piastri’s initial feedback holds up under full testing, McLaren could once again be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
