Chandhok tips McLaren's front wing upgrade to revive Mercedes rivalry in Barcelona

Karun Chandhok has backed McLaren to challenge Mercedes for pole position at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, pointing to front wing changes made since the Canadian Grand Prix as the key to unlocking the team’s pace. Lando Norris topped the second practice session at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with George Russell and Oscar Piastri completing the top three, while Russell had led the opening session ahead of Piastri.

“At no point in Montreal or Monaco did McLaren look like they were going to challenge for pole whereas in Miami they were right there,” Chandhok said following the first two practice sessions. “They modified the front wing from Canada and that has hopefully delivered some performance. We are going to see a more Miami-esque weekend where it’s McLaren vs Mercedes. I hope McLaren carry this form into qualifying.”

McLaren had been Mercedes’ closest rival at the Miami Grand Prix in May but fell away in the subsequent races in Canada and Monaco, unable to threaten the Brackley outfit for top grid positions at either circuit. Chandhok believes the combination of Barcelona’s track characteristics and the aerodynamic upgrade should bring McLaren back into contention.

Mercedes arrives in Spain having won every grand prix of the 2025 season so far, leading the constructors’ championship ahead of Ferrari in second and McLaren in third. In the drivers’ standings, Kimi Antonelli leads on 156 points — having become the youngest driver to top the championship following his victory in Japan — with Lewis Hamilton, Russell and Charles Leclerc behind him. Norris and Piastri are fifth and sixth respectively, both on 58 points, leaving McLaren with significant ground to make up if they are to mount a title challenge.

Whether the front wing modifications translate into genuine qualifying pace will become clear when the session runs, but Friday’s practice results offer McLaren their most encouraging signs since Miami.