McLaren outlines F1 engine fix after Lando Norris' Dutch GP exit
McLaren provided details on the reliability issues that hit Norris in Zandvoort and how they may impact his 2025 Formula 1 title campaign
McLaren is bullish it can prevent a repeat of Lando Norris' reliability issues in last week's Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, and explained what is happening with the Briton's power unit pool.
Norris' McLaren MCL39 started developing problems with seven laps to go at Zandvoort and the title protagonist soon ground to a halt with a smoking car. Norris' retirement was McLaren's first race-ending reliability issue in years, which set him back in the intra-McLaren title fight against Oscar Piastri.
The oil leak that crippled Norris' car was caused by an engine oil line failure on the team's side, with the engine sent back to supplier Mercedes HPP for further investigation.
McLaren's COO Piers Thynne says the squad is confident it has resolved the issue by manufacturing more robust parts.
"It was an unfortunate incident when we broke our long chain of positive reliability. The team have reacted extremely well and extremely pragmatically to look at the issue, find the root cause, understand it and manufacture parts that are extremely focused to ensure it doesn't happen again," Thynne explained.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
"I'm extremely pleased with the reaction of the team and certainly the factory, both design and manufacturing, reacted in a very positive and pragmatic way to the issue. The solution that is here this weekend to prevent it from happening again is the right one."
Both Norris and Piastri have switched to fresher power units for the Monza weekend, where power output and straightline speeds are key.
But Thynne confirmed that Norris' Zandvoort engine can be reintroduced later on this season, alleviating concerns Norris' woes might be compounded by a grid penalty for exceeding the allowed number of power unit components.
Asked if the power unit can be added back to the pool this season, he replied: "Yes".
He added: "The issue that happened in Zandvoort hasn't affected our engine allocation for this event and we continue to look at engine allocation in a circuit specific, most performant way, that balances what we have to the end of the year."
Motorsport.com understands the impacted engine will require some minor repairs for fire damage, but could return to the pool as soon as the next round in Baku in two weeks.
Photos from Italian GP - Friday
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Italian GP - Friday, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
Winners and losers from F1's Singapore Grand Prix
What's so "serious" for McLaren about the Norris-Piastri Singapore collision
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
Andrea Stella praises Lando Norris for reaction to Singapore GP sprint clash
Lando Norris: ‘I owe everyone at McLaren an apology” for Oscar Piastri clash
F1 doesn't need to change its VSC rules despite Lando Norris' Spain loss
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Pierre Gasly questions FIA stewards' decision not to penalise Lando Norris after Singapore crash
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
Brennan Poole to leave Alpha Prime Racing; team owners 'disappointed' to see him go
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Winners and losers from NASCAR Cup at Charlotte after dramatic finish
Charles Leclerc admits he missed a chance against Max Verstappen – but not the obvious one
'Senior moment' or breakdown of trust? The implications of Hamilton's Singapore GP meltdown
What we learned from the 2026 F1 Singapore GP sprint and qualifying
How Honda plans a return to being an F1 powerhouse
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments