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Norris: Current setback is 'the price of past success'
After a troubled start to the season, McLaren driver Lando Norris admits focusing on last year's titles laid the groundwork for today's challenges, though he remains completely content with his role.
By Lesley Bakker - 2026-07-02T07:45:39.000Z - 2 min read
Lando Norris looks back on the first half of his title defence with mixed feelings. While he describes McLaren's reliability as outright 'dramatic', he notes with satisfaction that the car's pure pace is generally decent. The driver acknowledges that current difficulties are a direct consequence of the successes the team celebrated over the past two seasons.
McLaren was not expected to start 2026 so weakly, especially after last year's intense battle against Max Verstappen and Red Bull for both the constructors' and drivers' titles. However, the energy poured into that double triumph took its toll. Norris explains that other now-successful teams were able to shift their focus to developing the new car earlier, something McLaren did less of due to the ongoing title fight.
This season, McLaren finds itself in the pack, hovering between the second and fourth fastest team, with Mercedes as the clear frontrunner. Their only realistic chance of victory—when Norris led in Miami—was lost to a strategic blunder. Alongside engine-related issues and self-inflicted reliability concerns, Norris still considers a podium finish achievable, provided the team executes a flawless weekend.
Despite the disappointing start, Norris remains steadfastly loyal to McLaren, the team that gave him his Formula 1 debut eight years ago. Under the guidance of CEO Zak Brown, Norris has forged a deep bond and states he prefers happiness in his current environment over an 'unknown adventure' elsewhere. Although rumors circulate about a potential move by Max Verstappen, Norris points out that he and teammate Oscar Piastri are under contract until at least the end of next year.
Norris emphasizes that he would welcome any teammate, including world champions like Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, or Fernando Alonso, to measure himself against the best. He does note that McLaren's philosophy of driver equality would be 'a different vibe' for someone like Verstappen, who is accustomed to Red Bull's single-driver focus.
Norris says he is personally performing 'very well' this year, even better than last season, despite the complexity of the current car. Next up is his home race at Silverstone, where he claimed victory last year. The British Grand Prix remains a special weekend for him, thanks to the overwhelming fan support and the feeling of 'belonging'.