Lando Norris has been back to winning ways since the Hungarian GP, but a chronic issue looms: McLaren's slow pit-stops. In Madrid, he lost second place to Max Verstappen due to a 6.65-second stop—too long for a driver of his caliber.
Since Hungary, Norris has won two of four races, taken three poles, and consistently run at the front. Yet, behind his impressive performances lies a fatal weakness in the pit lane. His average pit-stop time over the last six GPs is 3.88 seconds, far above Mercedes' 2.56 seconds. Only 3 out of 10 stops were completed under three seconds.
In Madrid, the VSC certainly hurt Norris, but the slow stop left him vulnerable. He finished less than a second behind Verstappen despite a stop 4.31 seconds longer. In F1, that margin is an eternity.
McLaren now ranks sixth in the season's pit-stop standings, the worst among the top four teams. In 2025, they were the second-best team after Ferrari. This decline raises serious questions about the consistency and execution of Andrea Stella's team.
If Norris—and Oscar Piastri—want to keep fighting for wins, McLaren must reverse this negative trend immediately. The car's speed is proven, but without sharp pit-stops, championship hopes could vanish in the pit lane.
Pit-stop errors are not just mechanical issues; they reflect team preparation and coordination. At this level, every second counts, and McLaren cannot afford to keep losing precious time in the pits.
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