Norris: 2026 F1 cars trade corner speed for straight-line punch

Reigning World Champion Lando Norris completed his first laps in McLaren's 2026 challenger, reporting a significant shift in performance characteristics. The new, lighter cars with active aerodynamics and a new power unit feel slower through corners but deliver noticeably quicker acceleration and higher straight-line speeds, according to the Briton's initial assessment after a productive 77-lap shakedown in Barcelona.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season introduces the sport's most radical technical overhaul in years, with new chassis and engine regulations designed to make the cars more agile and efficient. Norris's first feedback provides the earliest concrete driver insight into how these changes actually feel on track, signaling a potential shift in racing dynamics where straight-line performance and energy management could outweigh pure cornering grip.

The Details:

• Norris described driving the number 1-branded MCL40 for the first time as "pretty surreal" and a "good feeling," after the team opted to skip the first two days of the permitted testing window to prepare the car.
• His primary technical takeaway was a clear trade-off: "I think it’s just a bit of a step slower in terms of cornering speeds. In terms of like acceleration and straight-line speed it probably feels quicker."
• He noted reaching speeds of 340-350 km/h "quite a bit quicker" than with the previous generation of car, validating off-season speculation about increased top-end performance.
• The 2026 cars are shorter, lighter, and feature active aerodynamics, powered by a new engine formula with a 50/50 split between electrical and internal combustion power.
• Norris emphasized the added complexity, calling the new package "a bit more of a challenge" due to the need to understand and manage the new power unit and battery systems.

The big picture:

This shakedown represents the first real-world data point for teams under the new regulations. While the conditions in Barcelona differ from the opening races in Bahrain and Melbourne, these initial runs are critical for teams to establish a baseline. Norris's comments suggest drivers will need to adapt their style, potentially placing a greater premium on straight-line efficiency and energy deployment strategy over a single lap and in race trim. The task for engineers now is to translate this initial feedback into setup optimizations before the competitive season begins.