McLaren have made ‘aggressive’ change to ‘exploit’ Lando Norris’ new 2025 F1 car

McLaren will look to win back-to-back constructors’ titles for the first time in 34 years during the 2025 F1 season as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri also eye the drivers’ title.

Not since the Woking crew took four teams’ titles in a row from 1988 to 1991 have McLaren retained the Formula 1 constructors’ championship. It had even been 26 seasons since their last crown before edging Ferrari by 14 points to take the 2024 trophy home from Abu Dhabi.

McLaren lifting their first teams’ title since 1998 was not enough for Norris to dethrone Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the drivers’ championship, though. The 25-year-old finished 2024 trailing the Dutchman by 63 points, as teammate Piastri took fourth place a further 82 back.

McLaren go ‘aggressive’ with the packaging of their new 2025 F1 car the MCL39

The new campaign is now under a month away and Norris is the pre-season favourite to win the 2025 F1 title. McLaren producing the most well-rounded package in 2024 is expected to carry over, with this the final term before the 2026 F1 engine and chassis regulations kick in.

But while the regulations largely remain the same this season, with the FIA’s flexi front wing clampdown coming from the Spanish Grand Prix, McLaren have made some tweaks to their 2025 challenger the MCL39 that Norris as well as Piastri hopes to win the F1 drivers’ title in.

A report by Motor Sport Magazine has even shone a light on McLaren’s changes to their car, with the Woking crew eager to retain the MCL38’s excellent balance with the MCL39. While they have not changed concept, McLaren went ‘aggressive’ with the MCL39’s packaging.

READ MORE: All you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

McLaren hope their new car’s packaging offers the team’s aerodynamicists greater freedom to ‘exploit’ areas where they can create downforce. The MCL38 was one of the best cars on the 2024 grid with its balance between low and high-speed corners but could be improved.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will hope McLaren’s car changes do not prove costly

Norris and Piastri will hope McLaren’s ‘aggressive’ packaging does not remove the strengths of the MCL38 and see the MCL39 mark a step backwards in their pursuits of a debut drivers’ title. McLaren will not want to invest lots into fixing any issues whilst creating their 2026 car.

Like with most teams, McLaren will want to start focusing on next year’s regulations as early as possible. Yet if they are in a position to fight for their first drivers’ title since 2008 or claim another teams’ title, McLaren may have to split their factory when already on the back foot.

McLaren have fewer permitted hours of wind tunnel testing during the first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season than every other team as the defending constructors’ champions. Sauber, as the worst squad last term, have the most hours as they prepare to become Audi in 2026.