Lando Norris says he believes McLaren can deliver the best car later this season, even after a tricky start to his title defence. Norris missed his first race of the year in China because of an electrical issue on the power unit and finished only fifth in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. He sits 36 points behind championship leader George Russell, while McLaren are 80 points adrift of Mercedes in the Constructors’ standings.
Norris pointed to last year’s recovery as proof the team can claw back ground. He recalled being well behind rivals during the previous campaign yet still coming back to win the Constructors’ title and the Drivers’ crown. “Our plan is to get back on podiums first and then return to winning races,” he said. “The points take care of themselves. We’re confident — we’ve built the best car before and I believe we can do it again. It just takes time and patience.”
He would not go into the precise technical cause of the China power-unit failure, but said McLaren and engine partner Mercedes have identified the problem and taken steps to ensure it does not recur. Norris stressed the importance of development through the season — especially with the potential of the new cars under current regulations — and praised McLaren’s recent record of introducing effective upgrades without causing reliability setbacks. “There are things in the pipeline,” he added, “but it will take time to close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari. I know the team back at the factory is working hard and making good progress.”
Team-mate Oscar Piastri has suffered an even tougher opening to 2026, failing to complete a Grand Prix lap after crashing en route to the Australian grid and facing a separate power-unit issue in China. McLaren and Red Bull ended 2025 strongly but have been outpaced by Mercedes and Ferrari at the start of the new era; Red Bull’s late upgrades last year also shifted the competitive order. Piastri rejected the idea McLaren’s current situation stems from prioritising last year’s title push. “The rules are very different this year,” he said. “The engine is one area we’re trying to catch up in — it’s where a lot of lap time is found, especially in qualifying. We switched to this year’s car boldly; it’s not down to prioritisation, we just haven’t quite got it right yet and need to catch up.”
Formula 1 now heads to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, where teams will get another early-season check on form and McLaren will aim to begin their recovery. The weekend’s sessions and broadcast schedule will be available via race broadcasters.