Tag: Lando Norris

McLaren’s Newest Upgrades: What They Reveal Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix

McLaren’s Zandvoort upgrades helped deliver back-to-back wins

Following its all-new floor, wakeboards and floor slots introduced in Hungary, McLaren brought further performance upgrades to Zandvoort. The latest package included a new rear wing, engine cover updates, diffuser tweaks and revised front wheel rims.

“The items aren’t linked as a package,” explained McLaren’s technical director Neil Houldey of the Zandvoort parts. “They all provide aero performance as individual components and don’t need each other to perform.”

The two consecutive upgrade packages proved highly effective, helping Lando Norris secure back-to-back Grand Prix victories, with both wins coming from pole position.

Source: www.formula1.com

09/01/2026
Lando Norris’s 2026 F1 Title Hopes Face Crucial Monza Test, Says James Hinchcliffe

Former IndyCar Series driver and F1 TV analyst James Hinchcliffe believes McLaren’s performance at Monza will determine whether Lando Norris can mount a realistic challenge for the 2026 Formula 1 championship.

Norris heads to the Italian Grand Prix after consecutive victories at the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix. Those wins, combined with a third-place finish in the Dutch sprint race, have reduced his championship deficit to 83 points.

McLaren’s Monza pace could define Norris’ title hopes

However, Hinchcliffe has cautioned that McLaren’s recent success came at high-downforce circuits. He believes Monza, with its long straights and low-downforce demands, will provide a crucial test of the team’s competitiveness.

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Hinchcliffe said:

“We’ve had two sort of similar tracks back-to-back. I really think Monza is going to answer some questions. I think the level of competitiveness we see out of McLaren at Monza is going to really set the table for whether or not they, and Lando specifically, have a shot at this championship,” Hinchcliffe explained.

Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer, who joined Hinchcliffe and host Tom Clarkson on the podcast, added:

“Lando at his worst was 101 points [behind] this year. I actually think he’s driving unbelievably well. He’s in the frame for driver of the season, him and Kimi, for me, have been the two standouts.

“But he’s still 83 points back. I think Hinch is bang on; I think when you look at the last races – Budapest, Zandvoort – they’re both high-downforce. They are both, if you gave me a list to say who these tracks would suit driver-wise, I’d put Lando’s name right next to both of them.

“He has a great track record there, McLaren has got a great track record at both, and he’s delivered absolutely brilliant wins, but can they do it at Monza? That’s where I’m not sure.”

Norris is currently fourth in the drivers’ championship with 159 points. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leads the standings on 242 points, while George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are tied on 183 points.

The Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place at Monza from 4-6 September.

Source: www.motorsport.com

08/31/2026
Oscar Piastri’s 2026 F1 Season: The Ugly Statistics Behind a Winless Year

Oscar Piastri’s struggles at McLaren have continued into the 2026 Formula 1 season, with qualifying pace, rear-tyre management and the MCL40’s aerodynamic characteristics limiting his challenge for race wins.

Piastri won the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, extending his lead over McLaren teammate Lando Norris to 34 points. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was 104 points adrift and appeared to be out of contention.

However, Piastri did not win another grand prix during the remainder of the season and eventually dropped to third in the championship. His decline prompted unfounded speculation that McLaren was sabotaging his title bid.

Piastri trails Norris in 2026

Beyond podium finishes at Suzuka and Miami in the spring, Piastri has not seriously challenged for victory during a difficult 2026 campaign. More concerning for the Australian is that Norris has outperformed him, winning at the Hungaroring and Zandvoort, as well as the Miami sprint.

Piastri’s problems have been most apparent in qualifying and have carried into the races. Norris has beaten him 22-7 in qualifying since last season’s Dutch Grand Prix. Piastri has six pole positions, nine fastest laps and nine grand prix victories, but he has not looked likely to add to that total so far this year.

Why the McLaren MCL40 is challenging for Piastri

Part of the problem is linked to the McLaren MCL40’s design concept. Piastri has traditionally struggled on low-grip circuits, where his relatively conventional driving style can create spikes in rear-tyre surface temperatures as the tyres slide.

Norris has shown greater adaptability between the two drivers. By overlapping the brake and throttle while approaching corners on a shallower trajectory, he encourages the front tyres to help rotate the rear of the car as they reach peak lateral grip. That approach requires a strong feel for front-end grip and confidence that the rear axle will respond as expected.

Piastri’s more linear brake and throttle inputs tend to produce greater rear-end movement when grip levels are low. That weakness has been amplified by this year’s cars, which generate less overall downforce.

McLaren has also struggled to produce efficient rear downforce because it chose the shortest wheelbase permitted under the regulations. The decision delivered straightforward weight savings but left the team with less floor area for adding strakes and slots to manage airflow.

Piastri laboured to sixth in Zandvoort as his teammate won.
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

Small losses caused by rear-end slides can accumulate throughout a lap, depending on the circuit layout. Piastri then needs to use more electrical energy than Norris to regain speed, which can leave him with a lower state of charge and cost him top speed on the straights.

Rear-tyre degradation remains a concern

Recent upgrades have returned McLaren to race-winning contention after an underwhelming start to the season. Piastri failed even to make the grid in Australia and China because of power-unit problems, but the rear axle’s behaviour remains a concern, particularly during races, when he generally experiences more tyre degradation than Norris.

The issue was visible at the most recent Dutch Grand Prix. Norris defeated championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes in a straight fight, while Piastri was held back by a slow pit stop and rear-tyre problems. He finished sixth, 32 seconds behind his teammate.

“In general I’ve been much happier with the car this weekend, which has been good,” Piastri said in Zandvoort.

“I feel like it’s been back into the normal kind of rhythm of having strengths in some corners, weaknesses in others, rather than just trying to find time everywhere, which has been nice.

“We still probably lack a little bit of downforce compared to some of the others, or at least some balance characteristics. I think we rely a lot on the grip from the new tyres to help our balance.

“Maybe we pay the price a bit more when the tyres get worse, but that’s just a guess.”

08/31/2026
Lando Norris Insists He Has Not Changed Since Winning the F1 Championship

Lando Norris says winning the Formula 1 world championship has not changed his personality, although achieving his childhood dream has given him greater calm and confidence away from the pressures of the title fight.

The McLaren driver discussed his championship success in an interview with Sky Sports, filmed after he announced a contract extension with the Woking-based team through the end of 2030.

“It hasn’t, which is exactly what I would want,” Norris explained when asked how he thinks winning the championship has changed him. “I don’t want it to change me. I don’t want it to change who I am. I think I just get to go around with a feeling that I’ve accomplished something very few people in the world get to achieve, and I know I’ve achieved my dream as a kid.

“That’s something, again, not many people get to achieve. So I know how lucky I am. I know how fortunate I’ve been to be with McLaren.”

Norris remains focused on the Formula 1 title fight

For the 26-year-old, the biggest change has been in his perspective away from the cockpit rather than in his approach on the track.

“There’s an element of I know that people have high expectations, and I have high expectations for myself, and that’s where everything starts,” he said about the pressure of the current championship campaign.

Lando Norris, McLaren. Photo by: Pirelli

“But there’s also the element of we had such a tough start to the year. We’ve been very, very unfortunate with a lot of things. We knew we would start on the back foot. [Fighting for the championship] certainly wasn’t the first thought we had. The fact that it’s become a thought is a pretty awesome thing.

“So I’m very relaxed that I’m in the position of being the chaser, of course. But every time I’m on track, I don’t necessarily feel different because of it. Every time I put my helmet on, I still want to win today. I want to be first today. I want to be on pole. And that’s the same mentality that I’ve always had.

“It changes my outlook, especially when I’m out of the car. But I wouldn’t say it changes anything when I’m in it, because when I’m in it, it’s always 100%. It’s always go flat out. It’s always, don’t embarrass yourself. I want to be number one, no matter what situation I’m in.

“So, yeah, certainly just being off track, being more relaxed, being able to work with the team in an even better way than ever, that’s what’s also helping.”

08/31/2026
F1 Nation: Will Kimi Antonelli or Ferrari Be the Home Heroes at Monza?

Lando Norris heads to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in outstanding form after winning the last two Formula 1 races at the Hungaroring and Zandvoort.

The reigning World Champion now faces a different challenge at Monza’s low-downforce “Temple of Speed” circuit. The key question is whether the track will expose any weaknesses in McLaren’s package—or allow Norris to strengthen his title challenge with a third consecutive victory.

Italian Grand Prix talking points

Norris could receive further assistance from championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will serve a grid penalty at his home race. If Antonelli is to claim his seventh Grand Prix victory of the season, he will therefore need to fight his way through the field.

Ferrari will also be under pressure in front of its passionate home crowd. The Scuderia has gone two races without a podium for the first time this season, leaving fans to wonder whether the team can rediscover its form and give the Tifosi a race to remember.

Max Verstappen will be aiming to respond after crashing on the opening lap of his home race last time out. The Monza circuit could offer him an opportunity to bounce back, given that he has won three of the last four Italian Grands Prix.

Tom Clarkson is joined by former Renault F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar winner James Hinchcliffe on this week’s F1 Nation podcast. The panel previews the Italian Grand Prix, reacts to Franco Colapinto extending his Alpine contract through 2027 and recalls the time Jolyon Palmer upset Fernando Alonso at Monza.

Listen to the latest episode using the audio player above or click here to hear it on your preferred podcast platform.

Want your question answered by the F1 Nation team on a future episode? Record it as a voice note and email it to [email protected].

Source: www.formula1.com

08/31/2026
Lando Norris Discusses Long-Term McLaren Future After Committing Through 2030

2025 Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris says he would be “proud” to spend his entire F1 career with McLaren after committing his future to the team until the end of the 2030 season.

The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract extension with the Woking-based outfit. Speaking to Sky Sports about the possibility of racing into his 40s and remaining with McLaren throughout his career, Norris said he was uncertain how long he would continue competing in Formula 1 but reaffirmed his commitment to the team.

“Oh, I don’t know if I want to get to 40. It’s a big ask to get to 30, so we’ll see. I don’t know what the future holds,”

He added:

“I certainly want to believe what it holds, and I still believe that we can win more as a team and win more constructors’ and more drivers’ championships, and that’s why I want to stay here.

Lando Norris, McLaren. Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images

“But they are also the only team I’ve ever been with, and the team that I love and I call this place my home. So, if I do end up just doing my whole career at McLaren, that’s something I’ll be so proud to say and carry with me through the rest of my life.”

Norris played down immediate comparisons with the lengthy Formula 1 careers of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, saying his focus is currently on the four-year extension he has just signed.

“I don’t know what point I want to go to as a driver, whether I want to be 30, or 40, or 50. I don’t know that yet,”

He continued:

“So, I’m just very, very pleased to announce I’ll be here for four more years and four more years fighting for wins and championships, hopefully.”

Norris is currently fourth in the drivers’ championship with 159 points after securing back-to-back victories at the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix.

08/30/2026
McLaren Tipped to Become Mercedes’ Main Rival by the End of the 2026 F1 Season

Former Alpine Formula 1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer expects McLaren to emerge as Mercedes’ closest rival by the end of the 2026 season.

Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast with broadcaster Jake Humphrey, Szafnauer discussed the changing competitive order at the front of the Formula 1 grid after Lando Norris secured consecutive victories at the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix.

McLaren upgrades could transform the F1 title fight

McLaren has introduced significant upgrades at recent races. With the team’s development package now fully integrated ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Szafnauer believes the Woking-based outfit can overtake Ferrari in the constructors’ championship and mount a stronger challenge to Mercedes.

“Monza will be very important because [McLaren] brought an upgrade that did work in Hungary. I think they continued with that upgrade from what I read in Zandvoort, and now the upgrade’s complete. Let’s see how they go in Monza,” Szafnauer explained.

“I still think they’re going to be Mercedes’ closest competitor at the end of the season. I said that at the beginning, but it seemed like it was Ferrari. And I think it’s ebbing and flowing, the relative performance due to the fact that not all of the upgrades are coming at the same time, and the upgrades are significant.

“In a year where the regulations are new, you find a lot, right? So your learning curve is very steep. So when you bring that upgrade relative to those who haven’t, you make a step. And I think we saw that with Alpine as well. After Racing Bulls had their upgrade, they were significantly quicker than Alpine. It looked like they were going to get them. And now they’re there or thereabouts.”

Lando Norris, McLaren. Photo by Eric Le Galliot.

Mercedes upgrades limited by the cost cap

Szafnauer also addressed why constructors’ championship leader Mercedes has spread its upgrades across the season instead of introducing new components more frequently. He attributed the team’s cautious approach to Formula 1’s cost cap.

“Cost cap. They have upgrades now that they could bring, but once you start making those parts, it costs you, and they’ll go over the cap,” he said. “So what they’re going to do, my guess is, one more upgrade, Malaysia/Singapore timeframe.

“That doesn’t mean the learning stops. The learning continues in the background. You’re still doing CFD work. You’re still doing wind tunnel work. You’re still making wind tunnel parts. All that’s planned.

“It’s just a question of when you stop to actually bring that upgrade package. And that’s where the money is. When you make realised car parts, they cost: new wings, new floors, new bodywork. And I predict they’ll have one more big upgrade as opposed to a lot of little ones because they can’t afford it. They’re at the cap.”

08/30/2026
F1 Driver Contracts: How Long Is Each Driver Signed For?

F1 Driver Contracts: When Each Formula 1 Deal Expires

Details of Formula 1 driver contracts are closely guarded, although the length of many deals is eventually made public. Here is how long each current F1 driver contract is believed to run, along with the potential moves that could shape the grid in the coming seasons.

McLaren

Lando Norris — 2030

The reigning F1 world champion recently announced a new four-year contract with McLaren, keeping him at the team until at least 2030. The agreement is also believed to include clauses that could extend the deal beyond that point.

Norris joined McLaren as a junior driver in 2017 before stepping up to its F1 team in 2019. He became world champion in 2025.

Oscar Piastri — 2028

Oscar Piastri signed a new McLaren contract at the start of 2025, tying him to the team until the end of 2028.

The Australian made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2023 after a hearing before the FIA Contract Recognition Board settled a dispute between Alpine and McLaren.

Mercedes

George Russell — 2027

Despite Mercedes’ previous pursuit of Max Verstappen, George Russell remains confident in his place at the team. The British driver is contracted through the end of the 2027 season.

Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 after three seasons effectively on loan at Williams, where he made his F1 debut in 2019.

Kimi Antonelli — 2027

Kimi Antonelli is also believed to have a Mercedes contract running until the end of 2027.

The Italian replaced Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes’ driver line-up after Hamilton left for Ferrari in 2025.

Red Bull

Max Verstappen — 2030

Max Verstappen and Red Bull announced a new contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The agreement runs until at least the end of 2030.

Verstappen became a Red Bull junior in 2014 and made his F1 debut with sister team Toro Rosso in 2015 at the age of 17. He was promoted to the Red Bull team midway through the 2016 season.

Isack Hadjar — 2026

Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull contract is set to expire at the end of 2026 after he joined the senior team from Racing Bulls the previous winter.

The French driver made his F1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2025 and immediately impressed, highlighted by a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix. His performances led to a rapid promotion to Red Bull for 2026.

Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton — 2027

Ferrari has often declined to reveal the precise length of its drivers’ contracts, but all parties have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton’s deal runs until at least 2027. With contract clauses taken into account, he signed a three-year agreement when he joined in 2025.

Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 and won his first world title in 2008. He moved to Mercedes in 2013 and won a further six world championships during his 12 years with the German manufacturer.

Charles Leclerc — 2028

Ferrari announced that Charles Leclerc had agreed to a new contract on the eve of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, saying he would remain with the Maranello team “for the coming seasons”. The deal is believed to keep him at Ferrari until at least the end of 2028, with an option for additional years.

Leclerc was a Ferrari junior and made his F1 debut on loan at Sauber in 2018. He joined Ferrari’s driver line-up in 2019 and has remained a permanent fixture ever since.

Williams

Alex Albon — 2027

Alex Albon signed a contract extension with Williams ahead of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, keeping him at the team until the end of 2027.

The Anglo-Thai driver made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2019 before switching to Red Bull midway through the season. Red Bull dropped Albon at the end of 2020, and he spent one year away from F1 before returning to the grid with Williams in 2022.

Carlos Sainz — 2028

One day after Albon’s renewal was announced, Carlos Sainz’s future was confirmed with a multi-year Williams contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The deal is believed to run until the end of 2028 and include contract clauses.

Sainz has raced for almost half of the F1 grid since making his debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso. He switched to Renault in 2017, joined McLaren in 2019 for two seasons and then moved to Ferrari for four years. Sainz joined Williams in 2025.

Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson — 2026

Like many Red Bull youngsters, Liam Lawson has largely worked on one-year contracts, and 2026 is no different. The New Zealander responded well after being demoted to Racing Bulls following just two rounds as a Red Bull driver and secured his short-term future with the team for the season.

Lawson made his F1 debut in 2023 as an injury replacement for Daniel Ricciardo. In 2024, he permanently replaced Ricciardo at Racing Bulls from the United States Grand Prix, leading to his ill-fated promotion to Red Bull and subsequent return to Racing Bulls in 2025.

Arvid Lindblad — 2026

F1’s only rookie on the 2026 grid was handed a one-year contract to prove himself at Racing Bulls.

The British driver has impressed during his debut season and appears set to retain his place on the grid for 2027.

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso — 2026

The biggest remaining question surrounding the 2027 F1 grid concerns Fernando Alonso. The 45-year-old agreed to a contract extension in 2024 that will keep him at Aston Martin until the end of the 2026 season.

Alonso made his F1 debut with Minardi in 2001. After spending one year away from the grid as a Renault test driver, he returned in 2003 for a four-year stint that produced two world titles. Following an unsuccessful 2007 season with McLaren, Alonso returned to Renault for 2008 and 2009 before joining Ferrari for five years. He later had a second spell with McLaren amid its crisis with Honda and left both the team and F1 at the end of 2018. Alonso returned to F1 with Alpine in 2021 before switching to Aston Martin for 2023.

Lance Stroll — 2026

Lance Stroll is in the unique position of arguably having a timeless contract because his father, Lawrence Stroll, owns Aston Martin. He could therefore continue racing for the team for as long as both decide.

A contract announced in 2024 covering “2025 and beyond” guarantees Stroll a place at least through the end of 2026, but the agreement is expected to continue indefinitely.

The Canadian made his F1 debut with Williams in 2017 and spent two seasons there before joining Racing Point, which was rebranded as Aston Martin in 2021.

Haas

Esteban Ocon — 2026

When Esteban Ocon joined Haas for 2025, the deal was described as multi-year, with options believed to cover 2027. However, neither the driver nor the team has so far indicated that an agreement extending beyond this season is in place.

Ocon made his F1 debut midway through 2016 as a Mercedes junior with Manor. After the team folded, he joined Force India but lost his place in the line-up during Lawrence Stroll’s takeover at the end of 2018. After a year away, Ocon returned to F1 with Renault in 2020, remaining there until 2024 before moving to Haas.

Oliver Bearman — 2026

Oliver Bearman became a full-time Haas F1 driver in 2025, and his current contract is believed to expire at the end of 2026.

The British driver made a surprise F1 debut for Ferrari as a substitute for Carlos Sainz at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He made two further appearances that year with Haas, driving at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the banned Kevin Magnussen and again for Magnussen at the Brazilian Grand Prix when the Dane was unwell. Bearman became a permanent Haas driver in 2025.

Audi

Nico Hulkenberg — 2026

Nico Hulkenberg joined Sauber in 2025 ahead of its transition to Audi on a multi-year contract. The agreement is expected to carry him into 2027 if both parties agree.

Hulkenberg’s F1 career began with Williams in 2010. After a year away, he returned with Force India in 2012, joined Sauber for 2013 and reunited with Force India the following year, staying until the end of 2016. Two seasons with Renault ended with Hulkenberg failing to secure a full-time seat for 2020 and 2021, although he made five substitute appearances for Racing Point and Aston Martin. He returned to a full-time F1 seat with Haas in 2023, spending two seasons there before joining the Sauber-Audi project.

Gabriel Bortoleto — 2026

Gabriel Bortoleto made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2025 ahead of the team’s transition to Audi. Like Hulkenberg, his contract is described as multi-year and is expected to be extended into 2027.

Alpine

Pierre Gasly — 2028

Pierre Gasly signed a new multi-year contract with Alpine in 2025 that will keep him at the team until at least the end of 2028.

Gasly made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso as a mid-season replacement in 2017 before completing a full season with the team in 2018. A brief spell at Red Bull in 2019 ended with his demotion back to Toro Rosso, where he remained until the end of 2022. The French driver joined Alpine in 2023 and has stayed with the team since.

Franco Colapinto — 2027

Franco Colapinto emerged as one of the biggest winners in a stable 2026 driver market, as limited movement elsewhere gave Alpine the opportunity to assess him. The Argentinian driver has consequently been retained by the Enstone team for 2027.

Colapinto made his F1 debut with Williams midway through 2024 but found his path to a full-time seat blocked. He switched to Alpine for 2025 and again joined as a mid-season replacement, this time doing enough to secure a full-time contract from 2026.

Cadillac

Sergio Perez — 2027

Sergio Perez secured an F1 comeback with the new Cadillac team on a multi-year contract that will keep him there until at least the end of 2027.

Perez began his F1 career with Sauber in 2011, impressing enough to earn a McLaren seat for 2013. He moved to Force India in 2014 and played an integral role in saving the team from administration before joining Red Bull at the end of 2020. After a promising start in Milton Keynes, Perez was dropped at the end of 2024 before his contract expired. He spent 2025 away from F1 before returning with Cadillac in 2026.

Valtteri Bottas — 2027

Valtteri Bottas also returned to F1 with Cadillac. The Finn has a multi-year contract that is set to run until the end of 2027.

Bottas made his F1 debut with Williams in 2013 before unexpectedly joining Mercedes in 2017. He helped the team win five constructors’ world championships before moving to Alfa Romeo in 2022. His three-year spell at Alfa Romeo and Sauber ended in 2024, followed by one season away from the grid before he joined Cadillac for 2026.

Source: www.motorsport.com

08/30/2026
Lando Norris Gives His Verdict on McLaren’s 2026 F1 Title Fight

Lando Norris remains confident that McLaren can make the necessary improvements to its current Formula 1 car and challenge for the 2026 world championship.

Speaking to Sky Sports after announcing a contract extension with McLaren through the end of 2030, the British driver assessed the team’s prospects in the current championship campaign.

McLaren endured a difficult start to the season but has made a significant performance gain following the introduction of upgrades. Norris has since claimed consecutive victories at the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix, moving himself into title contention.

“Well, we’re trying to change that. That’s one thing I’m certain of,” Norris explained when asked if the car is in a position to fight for the championship.

“The team is working better than they’ve ever worked before. I think they’re working in a more efficient, harder way, even than the last couple of years. And that level was world championship-winning level. So, it’s not that I don’t think we can win it.

Lando Norris, McLaren
Photo by: Eric Le Galliot

“I’m confident we have a lot of what we need in place. It’s just certain areas on the car that we need to improve. And I believe we can. It’s just a race against time, as always, within Formula 1. But we proved over the last few weekends that we can still win races, and we have very good momentum.

“I always want that little bit more, and I want to be confident that we can improve the car enough to easily say, ‘Yeah, we can fight for this world championship.’

“So, we can easily fight as a team. We just need to improve some things with the car, and I’m still confident we can do that.”

McLaren currently sits third in the constructors’ championship with 263 points, 162 points behind leaders Mercedes. Norris is fourth in the drivers’ standings with 159 points, 83 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

Source: www.motorsport.com

08/30/2026
What Lando Norris’ Contract Extension Means for McLaren and Oscar Piastri

McLaren has secured Lando Norris on a long-term contract that will keep the reigning Formula 1 world champion with the Woking-based team until 2030, with options for multiple additional years. The deal is expected to reflect Norris’ status as one of F1’s leading drivers and takes him into his 30s with McLaren.

The 26-year-old’s contract removes one of the biggest names from the Formula 1 driver market for years to come, making Norris a bona fide franchise driver for McLaren. The idea of seeing him in a different-coloured race suit has always seemed difficult to imagine, and this agreement makes that prospect even less likely.

Norris joined McLaren’s driver programme a decade ago after being recruited by Zak Brown. He progressed through the junior single-seater ranks with Carlin before replacing Stoffel Vandoorne as McLaren’s grand prix driver in 2019, joining a new generation of British-born talent that included George Russell and Alex Albon.

After developing from a fast but raw and insecure prospect into a championship-winning star, Norris enjoyed a defining 2025 season. He overcame driving-style difficulties, mechanical failures and the challenge posed by team-mate Oscar Piastri to claim his first Formula 1 world championship.

That achievement appeared to transform Norris’ outlook. Having once hoped he could fulfil his ambitions, he gained the confidence that he could actually achieve them.

“Lando is driving and operating at the level of a world champion,” team boss Andrea Stella said after Norris’ Zandvoort win. “What I like the most about his journey in Formula 1 is that he keeps improving. And I think especially after the start of the 2025 season, something clicked, which is not only a single click, but is a way of working with Lando and that we are adopting also on Oscar’s side now in particular. And I think this approach has led Lando to continuous improvements.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lando Norris and McLaren
Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

McLaren prioritises stability ahead of the 2027 F1 season

McLaren’s decision to commit to Norris reflects its desire for stability as Formula 1 teams contend with the complexity of the 2026 power unit regulations. The team has agreed to pay an undisclosed but reportedly substantial sum to retain its most successful driver since Lewis Hamilton.

At 26, Norris is entering the prime years of his career. Keeping him under contract gives McLaren continuity as it works to overcome a relatively slow start to the 2026 season. His two victories either side of the summer break suggest the team is beginning to make progress.

The quiet driver market further underlines the value teams are placing on stability. With resources stretched by the demands of the 2026 regulations, teams are keen to eliminate as many uncertainties as possible, provided their drivers are delivering strong performances.

When Max Verstappen, the dominant figure in the F1 silly season, chose to remain with Red Bull, the 2027 grid was always likely to resemble this year’s line-up. Charles Leclerc has also reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari, while Mercedes is expected to seek similar long-term continuity with its drivers, particularly Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur explained the value of Leclerc’s long-term relationship with Maranello: “Having this kind of continuity is always positive. For me it’s also much easier to work with drivers that I have known for ages. Sometimes you don’t need to discuss [something] when you have known someone for 10, 15 or 20 years, when the first feeling is the good one, and you know what he’s thinking.”

The relationship between Norris and McLaren is built on a similar level of mutual trust and understanding, benefiting both the driver and the team.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Photo by: Pauline Ballet / LAT Images via Getty Images

What does Lando Norris’ deal mean for Oscar Piastri?

Norris’ high-profile contract is likely to prompt close attention from Oscar Piastri and his management team. The Australian extended his McLaren contract to 2028 at the start of the 2025 championship and appeared to be in control of the title fight until a combination of declining performance, driver errors, team mistakes and bad luck left him behind both Norris and Verstappen.

The outcome was a major setback for Piastri. Concerns about team orders and McLaren’s rules of engagement during the 2025 campaign may also influence how he views Norris’ long-term agreement. Controversial incidents included a position swap at the Italian Grand Prix and contact between the two team-mates in Singapore and Austin.

Those who believe McLaren is, and always will be, Norris’ team are likely to view the extension as confirmation of that perception. Piastri, however, has more immediate concerns.

After an exceptionally strong first half of the 2025 season, the 25-year-old has endured an extended dip in performance with the 2026-generation cars. His struggles appear similar to the driving-style problems he experienced last year on low-grip circuits such as Austin and Mexico.

Team principal Stella said Piastri’s issues are “purely technical” rather than mental, whether they are connected to the end of 2025 or the start of 2026. Piastri is set to reach a full calendar year without a grand prix victory on Monday.

McLaren is working with Piastri behind the scenes on changes to both the car and his driving style, following an approach similar to the one that helped Norris last year. If those efforts succeed, McLaren could have both of its leading drivers back at their best for a closely contested second half of 2026 and a potential title challenge in 2027.

McLaren’s long-term objective remains to have both drivers competing against each other for race wins and championships. That could lead to Piastri following a similar path towards a contract extension, although his management team must decide whether remaining with McLaren is in his best interests or whether it is time to consider alternatives.

Piastri’s current contract runs until the end of 2028, giving him and McLaren time to assess their options. In the meantime, McLaren has its reigning world champion secured for the entire current rules cycle—one fewer uncertainty as the Woking team seeks to retain and strengthen its title-winning line-up.

08/29/2026