Norris Cautions Against Premature Judgements, Confident in McLaren's 2026 Challenger

Lando Norris, the 2025 Formula 1 champion, has warned against getting caught up in comparing lap times during pre-season testing. However, the Briton expressed satisfaction with McLaren's shakedown of their 2026 car in Barcelona last week, stating that the new regulation vehicle "still feels fast."

As the reigning champion prepares for the upcoming season, Lando Norris has cautioned against the temptation to draw premature conclusions from the ongoing pre-season testing. The 25-year-old Briton, who clinched the 2025 Formula 1 title, acknowledged the difficulty in resisting the urge to compare his team's performance against that of their rivals.

However, Norris was pleased with the initial outing of McLaren's 2026 challenger during a private testing session in Barcelona last week. "The new regulation car still feels fast," he revealed, expressing a sense of confidence in the team's latest creation.

The shakedown in the Catalan capital marked the first time Norris had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the car that will compete under the sport's revised technical regulations set to be introduced in 2026. Despite the inherent challenges of adapting to a new set of rules, the young driver's initial impressions suggest the McLaren team has managed to maintain their competitive edge.

With the highly anticipated 2026 season on the horizon, Norris' cautious approach to pre-season testing serves as a reminder of the importance of not jumping to conclusions too early in the development process. As the championship battle heats up, the reigning champion's focus remains firmly on optimizing the performance of his McLaren car, rather than getting drawn into a premature comparison with his rivals.