McLaren travel to Singapore confident that the MCL39 will be well suited to the demands of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, as the team look to defend their Formula 1 Constructors’ crown.
McLaren missed out on securing their second F1 Constructors' title in a row after a disastrous weekend at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Oscar Piastri crashed in qualifying and the race, while Lando Norris finished seventh. They will be hoping to finish the job in Singapore.
This way, the team will focus on the battle between its drivers: Piastri, who leads the F1 Drivers’ Championship from Norris by 25 points. The Australian has seven wins this season compared to five for his teammate.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella set the tone ahead of this weekend in Singapore and said: “After a week away from the track, we now head to Singapore.
“The Marina Bay Circuit brings unique challenges, especially from a human performance element due to the high humidity and time shift for both team and drivers.
“Returning to the location of an impressive win for Lando last year, it's also a higher downforce street circuit than Baku, with higher tyre degradation in 2024, that should better suit the characteristics of the MCL39.
“The entire team both at track and back in Woking are motivated to continue adding important points into both Championships,” the Italian concluded.
Norris returns to scene of 2024 victory
As for Norris, who won in Singapore last season, he is relishing a return to the circuit and added: “I'm looking forward to racing under the lights again in Singapore.
“It was good to be back in Woking after Baku, resetting with the team and spending time in the sim. I've got good memories here with a podium and winning it last year, so I'm ready to go for it again.”
The Briton remains in the title hunt, aiming to cut into Piastri’s lead as McLaren look to bounce back from their disastrous weekend in Baku the last time they went racing.
As for Piastri, who needs a strong performance after his catastrophic weekend in Azerbaijan, he commented: “I'm very keen to get back in the cockpit.
“On paper and with the temperatures involved in Singapore, our car has been proven to be comfortable in the past and with that in mind, I'm looking forward to a really positive weekend.
“Singapore is the closest race to Australia in terms of distance, so we've always seen a great Australian contingent there cheering on their drivers at one of the best night races of the season.
“It's great having that additional support,” the 24-year-old from Melbourne concluded.
loading
Latest News
Loading
