Lando Norris Remains Optimistic About McLaren's Title Bid Despite Early Setbacks
Lando Norris remains confident that McLaren can still mount a serious challenge for the F1 2026 championship, despite a rocky start to the season where he has yet to secure a podium finish. Following the opening three races, Norris trails Mercedes’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 47 points, yet he insists the team is ready to push hard when the season resumes after the Miami Grand Prix. Norris highlighted that although McLaren has faced challenges, including a lack of podiums and reliability issues, they are utilizing the almost five-week break to enhance their performance. He stated, "I think we can have a good season, even if we're not where we want to be right now," stressing the importance of not giving up early in the season. Key points from Norris's outlook include: Oscar Piastri, Norris's teammate, finished second in Japan, showcasing McLaren’s potential. The team aims to resolve reliability concerns with their car and the Mercedes power unit. Norris emphasized the critical need for track time to maximize car performance and development, noting that their lack of practice laps has hindered progress. Meanwhile, Piastri echoed Norris's feelings, expressing faith in the team's ability to close the gap to Mercedes and consistently compete for victories. He remarked, "We have a lot of work to do to be back at the front consistently, but closing the gap to Mercedes and out-developing the field is something that's within our control." With 19 races remaining, both drivers remain optimistic about McLaren’s capacity to turn their season around and reclaim their status as title contenders.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-04-17