Formula 1 has gained another chapter of concern for McLaren at the Japanese GP, with Lando Norris at risk of not participating in FP3 at Suzuka. The problem arises at a critical moment of the weekend and could compromise the driver’s preparation for qualifying.
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The team identified a failure in the energy recovery system of the current champion’s car, which requires the replacement of the component. With limited time between sessions, McLaren is working against the clock to try to get the Briton back on track.
In an official statement, the team explained the situation faced in Suzuka. “We identified a problem in the ERS assembly, which now needs to be replaced. It is unlikely that Lando will participate in FP3, but we continue to work on the car,” they informed.
The setback represents another obstacle for Norris in an already complicated start to the weekend. In FP1, the driver was unable to complete the desired mileage, mainly due to adjustments made to the car during the session.
The limitation of laps at Suzuka is especially sensitive, as the Japanese track requires precision and confidence to extract performance. Without enough time on track, the Briton could reach qualifying with less data and an ideal setup.
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Furthermore, the recent history increases concern within the team. In the previous round, in China, Norris did not even start after an electrical problem that also affected his teammate, Oscar Piastri.
The repetition of failures related to electrical systems reinforces an alert for McLaren at this start of the season. Although the team has been showing potential in terms of performance, reliability still presents itself as a critical point.
While the mechanics work to solve the problem before FP3, uncertainty remains about Norris’s participation in the final practice session. If he cannot take to the track, the driver will have an even greater challenge to adapt to the conditions before the starting grid is defined in Suzuka.
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