Lando Norris doesn’t expect McLaren to dominate again this coming season. The Brit sees a particular deficit on the long runs compared with the rivals. Because of the regulation changes he isn’t confident of a repeat of 2025. “We’re just slightly off the pace at the moment,” Norris told media in Bahrain.
Last year’s car was dominant: McLaren won fourteen races, shared between Oscar Piastri and Norris. Where the team enjoyed a clear speed advantage a year ago, that edge is absent now. “From what we’re seeing: no, it won’t be an easy season,” Norris said. “Everything just worked better last year. We had a pace advantage, to the point we could run slower in the race.” The driver stressed the team are currently off the pace and that, to keep up with the other outfits, they’ll have to push a bit harder. “But that just brings more tyre degradation,” he added.
‘Finding balance’
Still, Norris highlighted positives. “There are a number of areas that were our strengths last year, and they will remain so this season. But we have a lot of work to do to find the balance,” he concluded. He also emphasised that the new cars are still in an early development phase, and that the team will continue evolving the package to try to regain an advantage.
Compared with last year the team is running a different package, because the advantage has narrowed. “Last season I knew: if qualifying went wrong, Sunday would sort itself out. That feeling is weaker now. We’re working on everything – tyre temperatures, race pace – but right now we need to improve in most areas,” Norris explained.
‘I feel better than ever’
He does not completely rule out becoming world champion again, although he expects a completely different season to last year. “I would very much like to defend my title, but there are new challenges this season. It isn’t as simple as picking up where we left off,” Norris noted.
Mentality-wise the Brit says he’s stronger than ever. Where he previously spoke openly about struggles with his mental health, he now shows more confidence. “I feel better than ever. Winning the title last year gave me a huge boost of confidence. I know now that I can do it, and I believe I can do it again. It will be a long season, but together with the team we’ll try to do it once more,” he concluded determinedly.
