Lando Norris lost almost the entire FP2 session at the Spanish Grand Prix after McLaren suffered a gearbox issue that forced the British driver to complete only two slow laps. The incident is a major blow for the reigning world champion, who now faces an uphill battle at the new Madring circuit that demands high precision.
The problem arose when the gearbox on the MCL40 suddenly went into 'false neutral', forcing Norris back to the pits and sidelining him for the rest of the session. With only one practice session remaining, FP3, McLaren has set an absolute priority: ensuring Norris gets maximum track time to condense his qualifying simulations and race runs.
Mark Temple, McLaren's Engineering Technical Director, Performance, admitted it was a tough day. "Today presented a significant challenge, particularly with the gearbox issue that cost Lando a substantial amount of track time in FP2," he said. "It's a big setback on a new and technically demanding circuit like this, where every lap is crucial for gathering data. The conditions are tough for everyone, with high temperatures and low grip, so losing that running time certainly puts us on the back foot heading into Saturday."
However, Temple insisted the team is not sitting idle. Tonight, they will conduct a deep dive into the data to find performance gains. "The car isn't quite where we want it to be, but we have some clear ideas on both the chassis and driver side to explore," he added. McLaren plans to analyse a wider variety of potential changes than usual to give both drivers a more competitive package for qualifying.
For Norris, this is a test of resilience. As world champion, he is expected to adapt quickly to a new circuit he has yet to master. Missing an entire session means he must be more efficient in using every second of FP3. The pressure is even greater given the fierce competition in the 2026 season.
McLaren must also think hard to overcome the gearbox issue that has plagued them. If a similar problem recurs, Norris could face a grid penalty or even a retirement. The team must ensure reliability before qualifying begins.
Meanwhile, rivals such as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are expected to capitalise on this situation. Verstappen, known for being aggressive on new circuits, will not waste the chance to dominate practice. Leclerc, too, with Ferrari looking competitive in Spain.
With limited time, McLaren must ensure Norris not only regains his racing rhythm but also finds the right setup for qualifying. If successful, Norris can still fight at the front. But if not, the Spanish Grand Prix could turn into a nightmare for the papaya team.
Read Also
Lewis Hamilton says changing Ferrari is a long-term process. Read his full comments on adapting to the team's culture and their championship ambitions.
Kimi Antonelli fastest in FP2 for 2026 F1 Spanish GP in Madrid, ahead of Leclerc and Hamilton. Norris set no time due to gearbox issue.
Kimi Antonelli tops FP2 at the 2026 Spanish GP, beating Leclerc and Hamilton. Arvid Lindblad crashes, Norris out with gearbox failure.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!