Lando Norris reveals shocking F1 comparison: 'It hurts your soul'

Lando Norris has revealed that it 'hurts his soul' to watch the speed drain out of his McLaren towards the end of the straights, conceding that driving at Suzuka is less enjoyable than in previous years.

Drivers losing speed at full throttle has become a significant issue under the new power unit regulations, caused by super clipping, and the 50% reliance on energy from the battery to power the cars.

Super clipping occurs when the MGU-K harvests energy to recharge the battery while at full throttle, resulting in a loss of top speed.

This has been particularly evident on the entry to the iconic 130R, with Norris revealing that he was losing 56 kph on corner entry, the equivalent of almost 35 mph.

The reigning F1 champion qualified fifth despite facing significant issues throughout the practice sessions, leaving him at a disadvantage due to a lack of mileage.

Norris is a fan of the new chassis and aero in F1’s 2026 regulations, but it is the 50-50 power unit split that is causing the biggest problems.

While a lap of Suzuka is still "special", the McLaren driver conceded that it is not the same as it was in the past.

Asked if Suzuka still feels enjoyable, Norris told select media, including RacingNews365: "I mean, comparing it to last year and the previous few years, certainly not. It still hurts your soul when you see your speed dropping so much.

"Fifty-six kph down the straight, it still feels quick. It’s not like the lap times are miles off. A 1:26.9 was pole last year, and it’s a couple of seconds [off], which is a lot, but it’s also not a huge amount.

"So it still feels special. It still feels like it’s an on-the-edge lap, and you’re taking risks here and there and so forth.

"Does it feel as amazing as last year? No, I don’t think any track will. Better get used to that."

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