Norris admits McLaren lagging behind Ferrari and Red Bull in early 2026 testing

Lando Norris says his reigning champion McLaren team is currently off the pace of rivals Ferrari and Red Bull after the first pre-season test in Bahrain, despite topping the lap count charts. The British driver emphasized the need for improvement but stressed it was still early days in F1's new regulatory era.

Why it matters:

As the team that swept both championships in the last two seasons, McLaren's perceived deficit to its primary rivals sets an intriguing early narrative for the 2026 campaign. Norris's candid assessment provides a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the competitive order as teams begin to understand their new-generation cars under fresh chassis and power unit regulations.

The details:

• Norris concluded his first test session by stating the MCL40 is "certainly not quick enough" compared to Ferrari, after observing the Italian team's full long run.
• He specifically highlighted the apparent strength of the new Red Bull-Ford powertrain, noting its efficient energy deployment and calling it a "very good power unit."
• The 2025 world champion completed 149 laps on Thursday, the most of any driver, indicating strong reliability for the new package.
• Despite the pace concerns, Norris described the day as "productive" and noted there is "plenty of work" and known areas for the team to improve before the season starts.

What's next:

Testing focus now shifts to teammate Oscar Piastri, who will drive the MCL40 for Friday's final day of the first test. The teams will then analyze data before a second, final three-day test in Bahrain begins on February 18th. The true competitive picture will only start to develop after that session, ahead of the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8, where Norris will begin his title defense.