Norris Secures Pole in Monaco for McLaren as Team Gains Momentum
Lando Norris clinched pole position for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, outperforming Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by a mere tenth of a second, with teammate Oscar Piastri trailing by 0.175 seconds. This marks Norris’s second pole of the season, revitalizing his campaign after a challenging phase where he struggled to extract maximum performance from the McLaren MCL39.
Team principal Andrea Stella emphasized the significance of this achievement, highlighting it as a pivotal moment in both Norris’ and Piastri’s development. "This reflects the successful collaboration between Lando and our engineering team. Today’s performance is a testament to the adjustments made based on our previous races," Stella stated.
Norris had previously expressed concerns about his inability to synchronize with the car’s behavior, leading to a period of in-depth analysis and adaptation within the team. Stella noted the importance of consistency throughout Q3, a capability that had eluded Norris in earlier races. "He maintained speed and rhythm when it mattered most, confirming that we are making genuine progress," he explained.
Despite the positive results, Stella acknowledged there is further potential for improvement. Piastri’s performance was marred by a mishap at the Nouvel Chicane, suggesting that both drivers face ongoing challenges with car predictability. "There’s much more we can unlock moving forward," Stella asserted.
As the Monaco Grand Prix approaches, McLaren’s enhanced performance could signal a turning point in their season, positioning both drivers as formidable contenders on the grid.
