Norris says McLaren paying “price of glory” after title triumph
McLaren’s Lando Norris has admitted the team’s faltering start to the 2026 Formula 1 season is the consequence of last year’s championship success, describing the campaign so far as “dreadful” for reliability but insisting the pace remains competitive.
Norris, who won the 2025 drivers’ title by just two points from Max Verstappen, told BBC Sport ahead of the British Grand Prix:
“I’m happy I have the pain of this year for the glory of last.”
McLaren has struggled to match Mercedes, fluctuating between second and fourth fastest team depending on the race. Their best chance of victory came in Miami, where Norris led before a strategic error cost him the win. He enters his home race fifth in the championship, 92 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli.
“It’s been dreadful for one reason, reliability. That’s been the biggest letdown of the whole year,” Norris said. “But apart from that, the pace has not been terrible.”
Despite frustrations, Norris reaffirmed his loyalty to McLaren, where he has spent his entire eight-year F1 career.
“Quite potentially, I could be at McLaren for life. I would love to be. They gave me my opportunity in the first place. We’ve won together. We want to win many more together.”
Rumours of Verstappen joining McLaren were dismissed by team boss Zak Brown, but Norris said he would welcome the challenge.
“You always want to prove yourself against the best. I would love Max, Lewis, or Fernando as teammates. But Oscar [Piastri] is already an unbelievable driver who pushes me.”
Norris, who won last year’s British Grand Prix in torrential rain, admitted repeating the feat would require “a hell of a lot of luck.” Still, he said the home crowd makes the race special.
“It’s the one place that really makes you feel like you belong more than anywhere else. The British Grand Prix is one of the best races of the season. It’s our team’s home race. I’m champion. There’s just a lot of beautiful things to look forward to.”
Source: BBC
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