Lando Norris surprised by McLaren's early recovery in Hungary

Lando Norris admitted McLaren's return to victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix came sooner than he had anticipated, providing a much-needed boost for the reigning double champions after a dismal start to their 2026 title defense. The Briton dominated at the Hungaroring with a comprehensive upgrade package, yet he was quick to warn that the win papers over cracks that still run deep throughout the MCL40.

Why it matters:

McLaren's decision to adopt a deliberately cautious approach to new regulations backfired initially, leaving the team 159 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' standings and Norris 91 points adrift of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The Hungary result validates Andrea Stella's patient methodology—prioritizing understanding the car's behavior over rushing speculative upgrades—but with the season advancing, the margin for error has effectively vanished if the team harbors any realistic hope of defending either crown.

The details:

• A torrid opening saw the team score just 18 points from the first two rounds, thanks to MGU-K failures on both cars in Shanghai and Oscar Piastri's crash on the reconnaissance lap in Melbourne.
• Stella and his engineers opted to run the MCL40 in launch specification through the early races, focusing on power unit integration and data gathering rather than immediate performance gains.
• The Hungary package introduced a new floor, revised front and rear corners, and reworked brake ducts, transforming the car into a weapon that allowed Norris to finish over 15 seconds clear of Max Verstappen.
• However, high-speed corners remain a glaring weakness. Stella previously admitted the concept needed a "redirection" that could take up to three months to bear fruit, and Norris recently estimated the same timeframe for full competitiveness.

What's next:

Norris remains optimistic about adding more wins but maintains a realistic outlook, noting that several upcoming races will expose areas where the car "is not to the standard that it needs to be." With confidence restored in the development direction, the pressure now shifts to McLaren's factory to deliver upgrades at a rapid pace—because while Hungary proved the team can win again, closing a 159-point constructors' gap will require far more than one dominant afternoon.