The new Formula 1 regulations for 2026 bring many changes, and not every driver is unanimously enthusiastic. An outspoken and candid Lando Norris shares his first impressions of the cars that, according to the simulator and test drives, are set to usher in the new era in the premier class at Spa.
“It’s different, good but in a different way,” begins Norris at Spa, a few days before the Belgian Grand Prix. “Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport and speed, and you get almost nothing better than what we’ve had in recent years. The new cars will be a bit slower – both on straight stretches and in corners – and they will therefore look less spectacular. At the end of a straight stretch, you brake earlier, which makes it look less impressive to the fans.”
However, the McLaren driver also sees positive aspects: “It’s a new challenge for everyone. And that’s what sometimes makes Formula 1 fun: a fresh start, new rules, and as a team, you look forward to that.”
Norris and 2026
Norris does hope that the sport in 2026 and beyond will not go too far in artificial aids. “I don’t want it to become too fake or too scripted, that’s not motorsport. Personally, I don’t like all that DRS stuff. I just want to drive, shift up, shift down, and be on the limit. That’s what I enjoy.”
According to him, the cars for the coming years could still be improved. “I would like more battery capacity, so the cars become a bit more ‘normal’ to drive.” Norris initially expects differences, but not as the years progress. “After a few years, the differences between teams will even out again. With new regulations, the gaps are always a bit larger, but eventually, they come closer together.”
Despite his critical notes, Norris says he is curious about the new generation of cars. “Some things will be better, others less so, but it’s a new challenge. And I’m looking forward to that.”
