McLaren to 'tackle' rare Lando Norris feeling ahead of new F1 era

Lando Norris has declared he is keen to ensure he does not struggle with one-lap confidence when the sport enters a new era in 2026.

Norris currently holds the lead of the drivers' championship with four rounds remaining, having enjoyed a strong run of form across the last five grands prix in comparison to team-mate Oscar Piastri.

However, earlier in the campaign, subtle mistakes often crept into Norris' qualifying laps, providing an advantage to Piastri.

Norris highlighted that even now, he rarely completes a lap that he feels is unbeatable, an element he enjoyed more often in 2024 as he attempted to close down Max Verstappen's title advantage late in the year.

“From focusing on myself and just knowing what I feel like I can do and what I can get out of the car, at times, I certainly still feel like I could do better last year and I could achieve more consistently good laps,” Norris told media including RacingNews365.

“There were many laps I did last year where I came out and I felt pretty confident that no one could be that lap.

“I don’t really think I've achieved that this year, maybe once in Monaco, I would say, it was probably one of the best laps I've I've done.

“Otherwise, it's very, very rare that I come in and I feel like no one can beat that.

“From my understanding, the team’s understanding, we’ll try and further tackle those things from what I struggled with at the start of the year and try improve them into next year’s car.”

Norris also issued praise for title rival Piastri, who sits just one point down in the drivers' championship.

Although the Australian has struggled behind the wheel of late, Norris hailed the growth Piastri has shown since joining the team in 2023.

“But of course, I'm not taking away anything from the fact that Oscar has improved from last year,” he said.

“It’s his third season in F1 and he's doing an incredible job. I’ll never take anything away from that fact.”