FIA announce Lando Norris car inspection at Saudi Grand Prix due to….read more
As Formula 1 heads to Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the FIA has confirmed that Lando Norris’ McLaren will be one of the selected cars for a pre-race inspection and fan display. This is part of the governing body’s standard routine ahead of each race weekend. The display, which takes place on Friday at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, allows selected cars to be showcased outside the garages for fans and media to get an up-close look at the engineering behind the scenes.
The FIA announced that along with Norris’ McLaren MCL39, the cars of Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) and Liam Lawson (RB) have also been chosen for the display. This tradition is part of Formula 1’s ongoing efforts to bring fans closer to the sport and provide a more transparent look at the machinery before racing begins.
These displays are not related to any regulatory investigations or suspicions — rather, they are routine procedures that rotate between different drivers and teams throughout the season. They are intended to enhance the fan experience and give technical experts and media a better chance to observe the cars.
This upcoming race weekend in Saudi Arabia could be a crucial one for Lando Norris, who is aiming to bounce back after a disappointing performance in Bahrain. Although he secured another podium finish, the British driver appeared visibly disheartened. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, outperformed him throughout the weekend, taking pole position and converting it into a commanding win — his first victory of the season.
Norris, currently 25 years old, had to settle for a sixth-place start on the grid in Bahrain and couldn’t make enough progress during the race to challenge for the win. After qualifying, Norris made a surprising admission to the media: “I feel like I’ve never driven a Formula 1 car before.” This comment reflected the McLaren driver’s frustration and self-critical mindset, a stark contrast to Piastri’s more composed demeanor.
Despite his internal struggles, Norris still holds a slim lead over his teammate in the drivers’ standings. Piastri trails by just three points, adding further pressure on Norris to deliver in Jeddah — the final round in the opening triple-header of the 2025 season.
Norris has also spoken candidly about his discomfort with the MCL39 car. While he has managed to extract podium finishes from it, he hasn’t found a natural rhythm and has made it clear that he does not enjoy driving this particular McLaren model. Nevertheless, the team’s overall performance has been strong in the early stages of 2025, especially when compared to Red Bull.
Christian Horner’s Red Bull outfit, once dominant, has taken a noticeable step back this season. Their decline is particularly stark when contrasted with their 2024 performance at Jeddah, where Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez — who has since been dropped from the team — secured a commanding one-two finish.
With Red Bull on the back foot, McLaren has a golden opportunity to capitalize. A one-two finish in Saudi Arabia is within reach if both Norris and Piastri can extract the full potential from the MCL39. For Norris, regaining confidence in the car and overcoming the internal pressure he places on himself could be key to reclaiming momentum and reasserting his status within the team.
As the paddock prepares for another high-stakes race weekend, all eyes will be on Norris to see whether he can shake off the Bahrain blues and lead McLaren to another strong result in what’s shaping up to be a thrilling start to the 2025 season.
