Lando Norris wielding new 'power and influence' at McLaren

Lando Norris says he's now wielding the "power and influence" he has at McLaren as the team fights back in the 2026 title race. After a slow start to their title defense, McLaren has won in Hungary and the Netherlands, and Norris has cut the gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli to 83 points. Norris believes he's driving better than in his championship-winning year and is growing into his status as a world champion.

Why it matters:

Norris's evolution from a driver into a team leader comes at a pivotal moment for McLaren. With a new long-term contract through 2030, he's not just a driver but a key voice in shaping the team's direction. His ability to influence car development and team culture could be decisive in a tight championship battle.

The details:

• Norris signed a new deal keeping him at McLaren until 2030, extending his stay into a third decade.
• He told Sky Sports he's learned "when to talk, when not to," and now understands the power he has over the team's direction.
• "I know that I'm in a position where I can be forceful to try and get what I want, from a car, from the team, from people around me," Norris said.
• He emphasized his role goes beyond driving: "How can I be a leader, how can I lead the team, how can I be a voice for all the people that work here?"
• Norris also noted he never wants to abuse that power, but knows he must utilize it as an athlete.
• Antonelli has name-checked McLaren as the new fastest team, and talk of a Verstappen-esque 2025-style comeback has grown.

What's next:

With McLaren's recent form and Norris's growing influence, the 83-point gap to Antonelli looks surmountable. The next races will show whether Norris can translate his leadership into a second consecutive championship.