McLaren’s New F1 Upgrade Works at Italian GP but Lando Norris Spots Bigger Problem: Friday Analysis

By admin — In News — September 4, 2026

   ​McLaren and Ferrari had updates to check on Friday of the F1 Italian GP, as Mercedes practiced the tow, while Red Bull suffered from balance issues.McLaren finally introduced its ‘H-Wing’ on Friday of F1 Italian GP at Monza, with good results. Lando Norris tried it in FP1, followed by both the Brit and Oscar Piastri using it in FP2. From the initial numbers, the team found it useful and mechanically working after earlier trials showed some gremlins.McLaren, Ferrari scene after Friday in F1 Italian GPThey have been developing the part ever since it was spotted on Ferrari’s car in pre-season testing. They are finally hopeful to use it for the full weekend after analysis on Friday evening. While the H-Wing worked, McLaren struggled a bit on the pace side when compared to its rivals.Having found success in the last two events, Andrea Stella hopes that it can deliver in Monza, so that they can think of challenging their rivals. But they were a bit aloof of their immediate rivals, with Norris terming it as ‘much trickier’ than the last few Fridays they have had.He feels they are lacking a bit everywhere and will have to work overnight to find that extra tenth to move up in the front row. Towards the end of FP2 session, McLaren ran a following simulation with both cars going back and forth for several laps, in preparation of race.Over at Ferrari, the new power unit under ADUO seemed to have worked well on Friday. Neither Lewis Hamilton, nor Frederic Vasseur gave much about the extent but both were positive about delivery and performance. Although, they still think that they are down on the likes of Mercedes.They had a good FP1 to be 1-2, but Hamilton dropped back in FP2 from Charles Leclerc. The Brit felt the changes he made didn’t help him to extract the maximum and he might revert for FP3. Even though there is a scope of tow help in qualifying, Vasseur said they want two cars on the front row.Where are Mercedes, Red BullHe thinks tow is a good idea in the case that the other car has a penalty, but for Ferrari, it is about putting two cars on the front row rather than one. That is the exact play at Mercedes, who practiced tow in FP1, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli focusing on race pace for Sunday.Despite no significant update, they found themselves to be in a good shape after George Russell set the pace in FP2. Team representative Bradley Lord hopes the bet put on by Fernando Alonso that Antonelli will be on the podium from the back, comes certainly true.For Red Bull, it was balance issues again. After Max Verstappen missed FP1 for Ayumu Iwasa, he only had one session to get things aligned but it was a struggle. He finished only eighth, few hundreds ahead of Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda. Aside balance, the Dutchman conceded that they are a bit behind overall.Lando Norris:“[It was] much trickier than the last few Fridays. We’re struggling for pace quite a lot more than the last few. So, yeah, much trickier. We’ll see what we can change ove  

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