McLaren struggles with car performance and front wing at Monaco Grand Prix
McLaren qualified seventh (Oscar Piastri) and eighth (Lando Norris) for the Monaco Grand Prix, far behind pole‑sitter Kimi Antonelli. The team cited a lack of downforce and overall grip as primary deficiencies, noting the new front‑wing concept was not ready for competition and was swapped back to the previous specification before qualifying.
During the race, Norris retired early after an engine failure, while Piastri capitalised on strategy and the attrition of rivals to finish fourth, gaining three places without overtaking on the tight circuit. Piastri praised the team's tactical execution but highlighted the need for faster lap pace, better tyre warming, and reliability improvements.
Team principal Andrea Stella said the new front wing is a foundation for future developments and will undergo further testing and refinement. The Australian driver also questioned the pit‑lane speeding penalties applied to other drivers, asserting he did not exceed the limit. Overall, McLaren acknowledged that the Monaco weekend exposed significant aerodynamic and mechanical shortcomings that must be addressed ahead of the next rounds.