Tag: Lando Norris

Lando Norris Completes First Full Test in McLaren’s Le Mans Hypercar

Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris completed his first full test of the McLaren MCL-HY Le Mans Hypercar at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão on Monday. The session came days after the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, where an ill-timed Virtual Safety Car denied Norris a potential victory. The British driver traveled across the border for a dedicated one-day program, completing 38 laps and covering 177 miles (285 kilometers) in the V6-powered prototype. McLaren confirmed the run included evaluation of several development items and leveraged Norris’s extensive Formula 1 experience for detailed feedback.

Norris Completes First Full Test at Portimão

Norris was supported by McLaren’s 2027 Hypercar drivers Mikkel Jensen and Laurens Vanthoor, who continued development work ahead of the British manufacturer’s World Endurance Championship debut next season. The test follows Norris’s initial taste of the MCL-HY during its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

Valuable Feedback from F1 Champion

“First of all, a big thanks to the McLaren Hypercar Team for letting me drive the MCL-HY,” he said. “It was great for them to give me a chance to have a bit of fun and try something new, particularly during their busy preparations for next year.”

“I think we also collected some valuable data, and I hope I was able to bring a different set of feelings, comments, and perspectives on things, which is useful for the team in this crucial testing period.”

“It was cool for me personally to work with this team, and it was exciting to try new machinery too. I’ve not done a proper test in anything other than an F1 car for years now, so the fact I got to try something different, especially still as part of the McLaren family, was very special.”

“It was a fun day in a quick car on a cool track, helping the team prepare for the start of WEC next year. A big thanks to everyone involved, I can’t wait to get back in the car in the future.”

McLaren Hypercar Team Principal Comments

“We are all racers at McLaren Racing, and competing in Formula 1, INDYCAR and the World Endurance Championship creates exciting cross-series opportunities,” he said.

“Lando was keen to drive the MCL-HY beyond his Goodwood Hill run, so we invited him to join our private Portimão test. As we fully expected he adapted very quickly, integrated seamlessly and provided valuable feedback to support the car’s development.”

“It was a pleasure to have him with the team, we wish him every success for the rest of the Formula 1 season, and we look forward to welcoming him back into the McLaren Hypercar Team soon.”

Potential Le Mans 2027 Outing

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has previously expressed interest in fielding both Norris and Oscar Piastri in the WEC’s blue-riband event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though any such entry would likely require the team to run a third car. A Le Mans appearance would only be feasible if there are no clashes with Norris’s Formula 1 commitments next year. While the full 2027 WEC calendar was revealed three months ago — with Le Mans penciled in for the weekend of June 12–13 — Formula 1 has yet to publish its 2027 schedule amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia.

Lando Norris, McLaren Photo by: McLaren

Lando Norris, McLaren Photo by: McLaren

09/14/2026
Guenther Steiner Criticizes Lando Norris’s Coca-Cola Spanish GP Moment as ‘unprofessional’

Guenther Steiner Criticizes Lando Norris Over Coca-Cola Cooldown Room Incident at Spanish Grand Prix

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has labeled Lando Norris’s decision to drink a Coca-Cola in the post-race cooldown room as unprofessional, following the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. The incident occurred after Norris finished third at the Madring circuit, sparking debate across the paddock and social media.

Norris Defends Right to Choose His Drink

With rival beverage company PepsiCo holding an official partnership with Formula 1, a series official reportedly asked the McLaren driver to put the Coca-Cola down. Norris firmly pushed back, stating:

“I just did a race, so I’m allowed to drink what I would like. Thank you so much.”

The exchange quickly went viral, with many fans praising Norris for standing his ground. However, Steiner offered a sharply different perspective during an appearance on The Red Flags Podcast.

Steiner: “If You Are a Professional, You Don’t Do That”

The former team chief argued that Norris should have adhered to the sport’s commercial protocols, regardless of personal preference.

“If you are a professional, you don’t do that. End of story,” the former team chief said. “You know what you can do and what you cannot do. You’re well trained. He shouldn’t have done it. Is it a bad thing that he did it? Will somebody get hurt? No. But as a pro, you shouldn’t do it. But he has done it. And you know what? I couldn’t give a s***.”

Commercial Reality Behind the Controversy

When asked if the issue stemmed directly from PepsiCo’s F1 partnership, Steiner explained the categorical nature of sponsorship rights.

“It’s all going by categories. They sell it and obviously if you don’t pay, you cannot have it. And he had a Coke. It was not the smartest thing to do.”

Steiner added that the backlash ultimately benefited the non-sponsor brand.

“But as I said, I don’t care because now, for Coca-Cola, it worked out pretty good. It was pretty good for [Coca-Cola]. If they wouldn’t have said anything, nobody would have even noticed, but because it was so bumped up now it’s a thing, and now Coca-Cola is laughing.”

Race Context and Championship Standings

Norris started the Spanish Grand Prix from pole position but dropped to third after an ill-timed virtual safety car period cost him the lead. He currently sits fourth in the 2025 drivers’ championship with 186 points, trailing leader Kimi Antonelli by 106 points.

Lando Norris, McLaren. Photo by: Federico Basile

09/14/2026
Why Formula 1 Should Avoid Knee-Jerk Rule Changes After Lando Norris’ Madrid Heartbreak

Lando Norris lost a potential Formula 1 victory at the Spanish Grand Prix through no fault of his own or his team’s, but due to the unfortunate timing of a virtual safety car (VSC) deployed on lap 14 following Lance Stroll’s retirement. The McLaren driver missed the pitlane entry by mere seconds before the VSC activation, making him the primary loser in a scenario where his main rivals—who lacked his outright pace—gained a “cheap” pit stop. The fastest driver on track ultimately settled for third place.

Norris Questions Fairness of Current VSC Rules

The outcome reignited debate regarding potential rule changes, with the VSC becoming the dominant talking point in Barcelona. Speaking in the post-race press conference, Norris expressed frustration over the lack of control he had over the situation.

“There’s literally nothing I could do as a driver today to do a better job,” said Norris a few minutes after the finish in the press conference. “Pole, led the race, and to lose it for nothing in my control is, I don’t think, how a race should be won.

“But I think people… I hope people agree, I think people would agree. But it is racing and it’s happened, so I can’t really complain about it. I can be upset about it, but I can’t really complain about it.”

Proposed Solutions: Closing Pitlane or Mandatory VSC Duration

In the aftermath, “easy solutions” often surface. Norris himself outlined two prominent ideas during the same press conference.

“We have spoken about it in the past several times, about how it can be at least covered for one lap or everyone has the opportunity to do the pit stops, or you just block the pit entry and no one can box apart from if you have a puncture or something, you know.

“So, I think there’s a few things you could do to make it more simple and more fair for everyone, but that’s a bigger discussion.”

While both options—closing the pitlane under VSC or ensuring a full-lap VSC duration—would have neutralized the disadvantage for Norris in Spain, analysis suggests both create significant new problems.

Why Closing the Pitlane Creates Safety Risks

Closing the pitlane entry during a VSC would prevent the “cheap stop” scenario. Without refuelling, cars do not risk running dry during a safety period, making this seem logical. However, VSCs and safety cars are primarily deployed for on-track incidents involving damaged cars.

Closing the pitlane while cars are circulating with damage—such as missing wheels or front wing failures—is illogical and unsafe. Allowing only damaged cars to pit introduces regulatory grey areas: defining what constitutes “damage” is complex. For instance, would the front wing damage sustained by Oscar Piastri in Madrid qualify? Furthermore, it could incentivize drivers to deliberately induce punctures to earn a pitstop right.

“I think it’s something, as a group of drivers, I think we would all want,” he said, but also admitted that “there’s a lot more to it”.

“You know, depending on if it’s raining and there’s a VSC and you’re on slicks, does it mean you can box or not? It’s a complicated subject.”

Preventing drivers on slick tyres from switching to wets during a VSC deployed for safety would contradict the very purpose of the intervention. If a simple fix existed, it would likely have been implemented long ago.

Why a Mandatory Full-Lap VSC Fails Strategically

The alternative—guaranteeing the VSC lasts at least one full lap so every driver can pit—addresses the specific Madrid scenario where the VSC ended before Norris completed his lap. However, this creates strategic distortions in other common scenarios.

Consider if Norris had pitted on lap 12 to cover an undercut from Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes). A subsequent VSC on lap 14 would put Norris at risk of losing track position to Antonelli. A mandatory full-lap VSC would guarantee Mercedes a “cheap” stop regardless of how quickly the track was cleared, artificially enforcing an “unfair” outcome. Critics would then likely demand race control act faster, ignoring that safety—not sporting equity—dictates deployment duration.

Safety Remains the Sole Priority for Race Control

The sporting outcome is not a factor for race control when deploying safety measures, nor should it be. Motor racing remains dangerous; safety is the only priority during incident management.

“But I think as a collection of drivers, if we all talk about it, I think everyone wants the same thing, and that’s just fairness for everyone,” said Norris. “So yeah, of course I’m complaining about it today. I could benefit from it next week, next time out, and I could win because of it.

“So yeah, I have to take it on the chin, but I just hope it doesn’t happen to anyone again because it’s just not how you should lose a race.”

Accepting the Inherent Unpredictability of Sport

While drivers are right to raise concerns, media headlines demanding immediate rule changes based on one event should not dictate regulatory overhauls. The Spanish GP highlighted a long-standing issue with VSC timing luck, but its persistence exists precisely because no simple solution withstands scrutiny across all scenarios.

Those offering straightforward fixes typically fall into two categories: those who misunderstand the complexity of the problem, or politicians. Ultimately, the only realistic “solution” may be accepting that sport is not always fair—and that the VSC lottery, while frustrating, is an inherent variable in Formula 1.

09/14/2026
What We Learned From Formula 1’s First Visit to the Madring

The debut of a new circuit always injects a mix of adrenaline, curiosity, and trepidation into a Formula 1 weekend, and the Madring in Madrid delivered on every front. The inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at this venue offered immediate lessons on driver adaptation, tyre strategy, and the shifting dynamics of the 2026 title fight.

How drivers tackled a fresh challenge

While factors like weather swings and split‑second strategy calls always influence a race result, drivers usually rely on intimate knowledge of track layouts honed over years of simulator work and muscle memory. The Madring reset that familiarity. Despite extensive virtual preparation, the reality of a freshly laid surface, the proximity of the walls, and the electric atmosphere of the Spanish capital could only be absorbed once Free Practice 1 began on Friday afternoon.

Home favourite Fernando Alonso described the layout as “very technical” and “attractive”, while several drivers drew parallels to Jeddah’s high‑speed, narrow character. Like its Saudi Arabian counterpart, the Madring showed its teeth early: Arvid Lindblad, Lewis Hamilton, and Ollie Bearman all ran into trouble during Free Practice. As the field found the initial limits, lap times tumbled dramatically — plummeting by more than two seconds between FP1 and Lando Norris’s stunning final qualifying effort.

Tyre management proved decisive

The ability to nurse tyres remains a cornerstone of race success, extending stint options and preserving grip for stability. At the Madring, that skill was tested severely. George Russell admitted after qualifying, “as the track has got faster, I’ve been struggling to get the most out of the tyres”, a deficit he believed cost him a shot at pole position and left him sixth on the grid.

In the Grand Prix, Nico Hulkenberg secured just his third points finish of the season as Audi continued to close the gap to midfield rivals Racing Bulls and Alpine. The German highlighted that “managing the tyres and making sure you get to the end” made the difference on a day when the three teams showed “identical pace”. Lando Norris also excelled in tyre preservation — until a poorly timed Virtual Safety Car unravelled his race. He remained proud of his performance, stating: “The way I drive, the way I can look after the tyres and get lap time out of it, it’s giving me a lot of opportunities and I can do a better job than the others.”

La Monumental lived up to its name

Few corners punish Pirelli rubber as severely as La Monumental. This 550‑metre arena‑style section, flanked by up to 45,000 passionate fans and featuring a banking gradient of up to 24%, became a defining feature of the circuit. The variety of racing lines through the corner sparked heated moments, especially as it leads into a blind crest that demands immense courage to attack flat‑out.

Another twist in the title fight

It is rare to hear an F1 driver — among the most ruthless competitors in sport — concede that a rival deserved victory more than they did, yet that is exactly what unfolded in Madrid. Kimi Antonelli claimed his eighth win of the season, extending his Drivers’ Championship lead to a commanding 81 points. Despite the triumph, he remarked: “It’s good to win, but it doesn’t feel as good because I think Lando today deserved to win. But overall, you know, we’ll take it.”

Antonelli’s assessment undersold his own drive: starting second, he overtook Norris during the pit stops and inherited the lead from Charles Leclerc after the Ferrari driver’s long opening stint ended with fewer than ten laps remaining. The 20‑year‑old then resisted pressure from both Norris and Max Verstappen to secure the most comfortable championship position of his career so far.

The weekend also revealed a shift in mindset within the Mercedes camp. Team‑mate George Russell declared he is no longer “in the fight for the drivers’ title” after finishing fifth. Team principal Toto Wolff disagreed, stressing that anything can happen over the remaining rounds and that a “nice buffer” can evaporate quickly after a couple of crashes or retirements. With Norris on a scintillating run of form, Ferrari consistently close, and Russell operating with reduced pressure, the battle for the 2026 crown remains wide open.

09/14/2026
McLaren Won’t Blame F1 Race Control for Spanish GP Loss
Key Highlights
- Lando Norris lost a near-certain Spanish Grand Prix victory after a Virtual Safety Car triggered by Lance Stroll’s brake failure cost him approximately 20 seconds relative to rivals who pitted under the neutralisation.
- McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella refused to criticise race control, stating the race director’s sole focus must be safety and that regulatory changes require a lengthy process through the Strategy Advisory Committee and F1 Commission.
- Norris acknowledged the misfortune was part of racing but noted this was likely the first time he had lost a race win specifically due to VSC timing, having previously benefited from similar scenarios.
Norris Dominates Early Before VSC Cruelly Intervenes

The 2025 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit appeared destined for a McLaren victory after Lando Norris converted pole position into a commanding early lead. The Briton quickly pulled away from Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli and reigning champion Max Verstappen, exploiting the clean air that is critical on a layout where overtaking proved exceptionally difficult across F1, F2, and F3 support races throughout the weekend.

That narrative unravelled when Lance Stroll suffered a brake failure on his Aston Martin, forcing the Canadian to stop at the side of the track. Race control deployed a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) at the precise moment Norris had just passed the pit entry. By the time the McLaren driver completed the additional lap required to reach the pits, the track had already gone green again. Meanwhile, Antonelli, Verstappen, and the chasing pack had all dived into the pits under the VSC, swapping tyres at a significantly reduced time loss. Norris emerged from his eventual stop having surrendered roughly 20 seconds to his principal rivals, effectively handing the race lead—and ultimately the win—to Antonelli.

Stella Defends Race Control, Points to Governance Process

Despite the bitter disappointment, McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella was unequivocal in refusing to apportion blame to the race director or FIA race control. Speaking after the Grand Prix, the Italian emphasised that the official’s mandate during a live incident is strictly limited to safety management.

“Like all the times in which a safety car or a virtual safety car timing or duration has a large influence on a race, we have an opportunity to review whether we can do things differently,”

Stella said.

“But this is not under the jurisdiction of the race director. The race director applies the guidance and the regulations at the moment of the race that he’s directing. And I think that when there’s a situation like the one that caused the virtual safety car, the attention of the race director, and rightly so, is on when the conditions exist to turn the virtual safety car on and when they exist to turn it off. I don’t think he takes a look at what’s happening in the race. It would be a big distraction.”

Stella confirmed the team had absolutely no comment on the race direction of the Spanish GP, adding they had done a good job according to what is present. However, he conceded there was scope for wider reflection on maintaining fairness.

“I’m puzzled myself as to what’s right,” Stella continued. “Is it correct to give enough duration such that everyone will be subject to the same track conditions? So, for instance, the virtual safety car lasts at least one full lap. Or, you just keep it in the hands of the gods? And sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you are not. I’m not sure myself.”

The McLaren boss outlined the formal pathway for any regulatory adjustment, noting it must originate in the Strategy Advisory Committee (SAC), progress to the F1 Commission, and ultimately be written into the Sporting Regulations—a relatively lengthy process that precludes any immediate change.

“But in general, there’s the right place to have this sort of conversation which is the Strategy Advisory Committee, the famous SAC. And this is a topic that may be added to the agenda and discussed over there. But if it’s a change, it will have to be a change that goes through the SAC, then the F1 Commission, and then we have to go at some stage to the Sporting Regulations.”

Norris Takes Philosophical View on Cruel Timing

For Norris, the loss was particularly stinging because it occurred while fighting for a victory rather than mere points. In the post-race press conference, the 25-year-old articulated a balanced perspective, recognising that the fickle nature of safety-car timing has swung both ways during his career.

“I was the only one, the only one on the whole grid that didn’t get the chance to do the pitstop,” Norris said in the post-race press conference. “That’s just unfortunate. It’s happened in races and there’s been plenty of times where I’ve gained from it in the past and times where I lost from it.”

“It’s racing, but never when fighting for a win. So, I think it’s probably one of the first times a win has been lost simply because of it.”

Why This Matters

The Spanish Grand Prix episode has reignited a long-standing debate within Formula 1 regarding the sporting equity of Virtual Safety Car and Safety Car deployments. Because the VSC freezes gaps at the moment of deployment, any driver who has not yet passed the pit entry when the signal is given gains a massive advantage over those who have just missed it. The Madring circuit’s layout—where track position is paramount and overtaking is at a premium—amplified the consequence to a race-deciding level.

Stella’s reference to the Strategy Advisory Committee underscores that any solution—whether a mandatory minimum VSC duration, a “pit window” guarantee, or a red-flag-style reset—must navigate F1’s multi-layered governance structure involving teams, the FIA, and commercial rights holders. Until such a mechanism is ratified, the sport must accept that the timing of neutralisations remains, in Stella’s words, in the hands of the gods. For Norris and McLaren, the focus now shifts to recovering the championship momentum lost on a Sunday where pace was never the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Lando Norris lose the Spanish Grand Prix?

Norris lost the lead when a Virtual Safety Car was deployed moments after he passed the pit entry. He was forced to complete an extra lap at reduced speed before pitting, while rivals including Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen pitted immediately under the VSC, gaining roughly 20 seconds on the McLaren driver.

Is McLaren protesting the race director’s decision?

No. Team Principal Andrea Stella explicitly stated McLaren has absolutely no comment on the race direction and believes the race director’s sole responsibility during a live incident is safety, not sporting equity.

Could the rules be changed to prevent this happening again?

Any rule change would need to be proposed at the Strategy Advisory Committee (SAC), approved by the F1 Commission, and written into the Sporting Regulations. Stella described this as a relatively lengthy process, meaning no immediate fix is expected.
09/14/2026
His Worst Races Would Be Enough: Remarkable Stats Behind Kimi Antonelli’s Title Hopes

Kimi Antonelli’s Commanding 2026 F1 Title Lead: Can Anyone Catch the Mercedes Rookie?

With 14 rounds complete, the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship resembles a coronation more than a contest. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli holds an 81-point advantage over team-mate George Russell, 101 points over Lewis Hamilton, and a staggering 106-point buffer to Lando Norris.

Historical Context: No Precedent for a Comeback This Late

In absolute terms, the largest deficit ever overturned was Max Verstappen’s 46-point gap to Charles Leclerc in 2022 — but that was after only the third race in Melbourne. Verstappen went on to clinch his second title comfortably, finishing with 454 points to Leclerc’s 308.

Relatively speaking, James Hunt’s 1976 charge — immortalized in the film Rush — was arguably more impressive. Hunt faced a 35-point deficit to Niki Lauda when a grand prix win was worth just nine points, compared to 25 today. Scaled proportionally, that 35-point gap equates to roughly 97 points under the current system — still smaller than Antonelli’s lead over Norris.

Calendar Uncertainty: Eight or Nine Rounds Remaining?

The exact number of remaining race weekends is unclear. Geopolitical tensions cast doubt on the Qatar Grand Prix on 29 November and the Abu Dhabi finale on 6 December. Growing indications suggest one or both could be cancelled, with Imola lined up as a potential replacement season finale.

If the calendar shrinks to eight rounds, Antonelli’s rivals would have a theoretical maximum of 208 points available: eight grand prix victories (25 points each) plus eight sprint points from the Singapore event.

Verstappen on Antonelli: “He Should Not Stress About It Too Much”

Max Verstappen, who turned a seemingly hopeless 2025 campaign into a genuine title fight with a winning streak, offered his assessment after Antonelli’s Spanish Grand Prix victory in Madrid.

“Kimi just needs to do what he’s doing. I mean, it’s fantastic”, Verstappen said after Antonelli’s latest victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. “So, it’s working really well. He should not stress about it too much, which I don’t think he is. He’s just delivering, he’s confident, he’s getting more and more experience.

“He’s still young, he’s still very early in his career, but he’s flying and it’s just working. So he shouldn’t overcomplicate things. He’s not doing that. He has a lot of good people around him that know what he needs. So, it’s all working well.”

The four-time champion is likely referring to Antonelli’s support structure: father Marco, who travels to every round; team principal Toto Wolff, managing expectations; and race engineer Peter Bonnington, whose years with Hamilton bring championship-winning calm to the garage.

Form Guide: Is Lando Norris the Only Real Threat?

If any driver can pressure Antonelli, it is defending champion Norris. The McLaren driver won in Budapest before the summer break and again at Zandvoort, finished fourth at Monza, and — but for an ill-timed Virtual Safety Car — would have claimed a third win in four races at Madrid.

Yet even a perfect 208-point haul for Norris — an extreme hypothetical — would only require Antonelli to score 103 points across the remaining rounds to secure the title. For context, Antonelli’s eight worst grand prix results this season have still yielded 116 points.

Can Lando Norris chase down Kimi Antonelli? Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Norris: “He’s Doing a Scarily Good Job”

“He is more than likely to go on and win the championship,” Norris admits.

“He’s leading by 80 points because he’s doing an incredible job. You know, he’s beating a much more experienced team-mate, and a decent team-mate, so I don’t want to give him any advice because he’s doing a scarily good job at, you know, just turned 20. So yeah, pretty phenomenal. I think it’s cool to see someone so young doing such an incredible job.

“He’s been impressive since the first race this year. Very few mistakes. He’s, you know, he’s just not driving like it’s his second year in F1, that’s for sure. So yeah, it’s cool to see and, yeah, I don’t want to… There’s going to be many, many more years of us battling and, yeah, I’m excited for more, hopefully this year, and I’m excited for all of us to race more in the future too.”

Russell All But Concedes: “Exceptionally Unlikely”

Earlier on Sunday evening, Russell — Antonelli’s closest challenger in the standings — offered a blunt assessment after finishing fifth in Madrid.

George Russell has all but conceded defeat to his team-mate. Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images

“I’m not going to say it’s over”, Russell said after finishing fifth in the Spanish Grand Prix. “But it’s exceptionally unlikely that I’m in this fight.”

Whichever way the numbers are sliced, the conclusion remains the same: Antonelli’s championship coronation appears a matter of when, not if.

09/14/2026
Romain Grosjean Apologizes to McLaren Over Controversial, Unfounded Comments

Formula 1 pundit and former driver Romain Grosjean issued a public apology to McLaren and team principal Zak Brown on Sunday after misrepresenting Brown’s comments regarding Oscar Piastri during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend at the Madring circuit.

Grosjean’s Initial Criticism Sparks Controversy

While covering the race live for Canal+, Grosjean sharply criticised remarks he believed Brown had made following Saturday’s qualifying session, where Lando Norris secured pole position. Grosjean suggested the McLaren boss had undermined Piastri’s morale.

“I saw a statement from Zak Brown about Lando Norris’ lap, he cut Oscar Piastri to pieces with a pair of scissors and a chainsaw right there”, Romain Grosjean initially said, after reigning world champion Norris had taken pole position at the Madring the previous day. “If Piastri had any morale left, he doesn’t have any anymore.

“The harshness, the violence of that statement… The question was that Norris had done a good qualifying and he was asked how to explain the difference. Basically, he said that Lando was world champion and that he was better than Oscar.

“He kind of forgot that last year, Oscar was leading the world championship, that at Monza they asked him to let Lando past and that perhaps wasn’t necessarily the thing to do at that point. It was surprising, very surprising, and it left me speechless when I heard that statement.”

What Zak Brown Actually Said

The controversy stemmed from a misunderstanding. Brown’s actual comments, made during an F1 TV interview after qualifying alongside Juan Pablo Montoya, Jolyon Palmer, and Grosjean himself, praised Norris’s lap without disparaging Piastri.

“The whole lap was amazing and Lando’s just getting better and better and better”, Brown had said. “When you see a lap like that put down, you just go, ‘he’s a world champion’.”

When asked by Montoya about the performance gap between the two McLaren drivers, Brown added:

“I think a) you got Lando on his A-plus game, right? So, I don’t think there was anything left laptime-wise there. So, he found that.

“Oscar’s been right there with him all weekend and just didn’t get that same extra lap. We’ll continue to look at it. He’ll look at the data and probably do what we all did and go, ‘wow, what a lap’ as well.”

Social Media Reaction and Swift Correction

Grosjean’s on-air remarks were widely clipped and debated across social media platforms, prompting the French broadcaster to clarify his error on Sunday evening.

Grosjean Apologises for Misunderstanding

In a statement released Sunday night, Grosjean acknowledged he had misinterpreted Brown’s words during the live F1 TV session he attended.

“Today, I made a comment on Canal+ regarding Zak Brown’s comments about Oscar Piastri during an interview yesterday on F1 TV, which I was part of,” he wrote.

“I completely misunderstood his words and want to apologise for that. I know how important it is to Zak and the entire McLaren team to respect their drivers and treat them fairly and equally.

“McLaren had the fastest car today and were unlucky with the VSC. I’m sure both Lando and Oscar will have another chance to fight for the win in Baku.”

09/14/2026
Spanish GP Promises Madrid Circuit Changes After F1 Criticism

Organisers of the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s new Madring circuit are preparing layout modifications for the 2027 event to address a lack of overtaking opportunities that defined the venue’s inaugural weekend. The 5.4km track, constructed around the IFEMA fairgrounds, earned praise for its facilities and qualifying challenge but produced limited on-track action across F1, F2, and F3 races.

Overtaking Issues Dominate Post-Race Analysis

The primary passing zone was intended to be the Turn 5 chicane at the end of the circuit’s longest straight. However, the corner’s geometry—requiring combined braking and steering—allowed leading cars to defend easily. Drivers raised these concerns during Friday night’s briefing, highlighting multiple corners where simultaneous braking and turning neutralized overtaking potential. The circuit’s lengthy pitlane was also criticised for discouraging alternative pitstop strategies.

Organisers Commit to Changes for 2027

Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com after Sunday’s race, event managing director Luis Garcia Abad confirmed his team is ready to implement necessary modifications. He revealed that the FIA has already provided specific recommendations for the 2027 layout.

“Being honest with you, the FIA defined clearly which is the way to improve the track layout, and we will be open because we will have to reinstall the track for the next year,”

Abad told Motorsport.com.

“I really believe that the drivers enjoyed qualifying a lot. But for sure we will try to make an improvement for next year.”

The Madrid race is the first year of a 10-year contract. With the northern half of the circuit built on previously empty land, Abad emphasised the physical capacity for significant revisions.

“We have the space, we have a venue, we have the facilities, we have the capacity to do it,”

he promised.

“I’m sure that FOM, FIA, and ourselves, we will try. If we can improve something, we will do it.”

Norris Proposes Specific Layout Revisions

World champion Lando Norris offered detailed suggestions after the race, advocating for a high-speed straight linking Turn 17 to Turn 20 to create a heavy braking zone similar to corners at Circuit of the Americas.

“To me, it’s not a great racetrack. It’s great in qualifying, but a straight line from Turn 17 straight to Turn 20 [would help], to have a much wider entry like Austin Turn 1 or Turn 10, a big hairpin. You’ll create much better opportunities for everyone and you’ll be able to enjoy the race.”

Norris also identified the Turn 5-6-7 complex as a key area requiring attention.

“There are some simple changes and maybe some trickier ones, like Turn 5, 6, 7. It’s hard to know exactly what is the best thing. The fact you have to turn and brake [at the same time] basically defeats the whole object of racing.”

09/14/2026
Monday Morning Debrief: Could Lando Norris Have Won the Spanish Grand Prix After the VSC?

Lance Stroll’s race came to an abrupt end on Lap 13 of the Grand Prix after a catastrophic brake failure sent his Aston Martin into the run-off area at Turn 20. The Canadian driver hit the brakes for the corner and the pedal went to the floor, leaving him stranded and triggering a chain of events that dramatically altered the race outcome.

Virtual Safety Car Timing Costs Norris Victory Chance

The deployment of a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) to clear Stroll’s stricken car proved decisive for the race lead. Lando Norris had just passed the pit exit to begin Lap 14 when the VSC was called, a timing misfortune that effectively handed the strategic advantage to his rivals.

Antonelli Capitalises on Fortuitous Timing

Kimi Antonelli was in the perfect position to exploit the VSC window. The young driver arrived at the pit lane entry just in time to make a “free” pit stop under the neutralised conditions, minimising time loss and vaulting himself into a race-winning position that the on-track pace alone might not have secured.

09/14/2026
Lando Norris Wins ‘Who Slept Best Last Night’ Title

Lando Norris summed up his Spanish Grand Prix heartbreak with brutal honesty on the cooldown lap in Madrid. “We were too quick, that’s all it was.” Those six words captured the cruel irony that defined the inaugural Spanish GP at the Madring circuit.

How a Six-Second Gap Decided the Madrid Winner

The sequence began on lap 13 when Lance Stroll parked his Aston Martin at Turn 20 with a brake problem. Norris was just a few corners behind, holding a comfortable six-second advantage over Kimi Antonelli. Had Norris been three or four seconds slower on his opening medium stint, he would have reached the pit lane entry just as track marshals determined they needed to push the stranded car to a safer location.

Instead, the timing worked against the McLaren driver. Race director Rui Marques deployed the Virtual Safety Car, triggering a cascade of cheap pit stops across the field. Norris had just passed the pit lane entry when the VSC activated, forcing him to slow to comply with delta times. By the time he completed the lap, officials had cleared the Aston Martin, and the VSC period ended. Almost the entire field had pitted under neutralized conditions; Norris was forced to stop under green flag conditions, surrendering track position.

Antonelli Admits Victory Feels Hollow

The beneficiary, Kimi Antonelli, offered a remarkably candid assessment after climbing from his Mercedes. “It’s good to win, but it doesn’t feel as good,” the Italian conceded during the post-race broadcast interview with James Hinchcliffe. Jolyon Palmer had predicted earlier in the week that Antonelli’s recent fortune resembled a lottery win, and Sunday’s events in Madrid appeared to validate that observation.

This is not to diminish Antonelli’s championship credentials, but the circumstances underscored how luck has intervened in his favor during the 2025 season, a contrast to the more testing challenges he faced in his rookie campaign.

Norris Delivers a Masterclass in Defeat

Norris was, by any objective measure, the standout performer of the weekend, continuing the form he has displayed since McLaren’s resurgence following their Hungarian upgrade, Monza excepted. This should have been his third victory in four races. While the championship fight is effectively over, a win would have energized those still clinging to title hopes.

His team radio message as he returned to the pits revealed both frustration and resolve: “Very unlucky today, guys. We deserved the win quite easily, so a big thank you. Didn’t think we were going to have a chance here, but we should have won. Well done guys. Keep it going.” He added a line that spoke volumes about his current mindset: “I’ll keep delivering.”

Perspective on Luck’s Two-Way Street

In the post-race press conference, Norris acknowledged that VSC timing has cost others victories before, while admitting he benefited from a timely safety car at his maiden Miami win in 2023. His philosophical acceptance, “what comes around goes around,” reflects a maturity forged since that breakthrough.

The transformation from the self-deprecating “No wins” Norris of early 2023 to the driver declaring “I’ll keep delivering” illustrates a profound shift in self-belief and understanding of his own capabilities.

Norris Debunks the “Driver Difference” Theories

Recent commentary from Max Verstappen and George Russell has suggested that 2026 regulations reduce the impact a driver can make. Verstappen cited Liam Lawson’s improved form as evidence, while Russell linked Lewis Hamilton’s revival and Antonelli’s dominance to driving styles suited to the new rules, including Norris in that category.

Norris’s performances dismantle both arguments. He has not only outperformed Oscar Piastri this season, the gap has widened significantly compared to 2025. Piastri’s standout moments have been scarce outside of commercial appearances, while Norris has produced a string of exceptional performances. The data suggests Norris is making the difference, and it transcends driving style preferences.

McLaren’s Operational Excellence Signals 2027 Threat

With an 81-point championship lead over his nearest rival, who is not Norris, Antonelli’s 2026 title appears secure. Verstappen’s late-season heroics last year are not repeatable on demand, and even Toto Wolff’s cautious public stance likely masks active championship merchandise planning for the Italian rookie.

For Norris and McLaren, the bigger picture is encouraging. The organization under Andrea Stella continues to impress with systematic car development, eliminating weaknesses methodically. Norris now looks like the ideal product of that culture, a driver with immense potential refined into a consistent force.

Being “too quick” cost Norris a victory in Madrid, but that same pace will win far more races in the future than it costs. With McLaren’s trajectory and Norris’s confidence, the 2027 championship battle promises to be considerably closer.

09/14/2026