Norris: Hypercar test revealed 'old-school' setup freedom, but F1 remains priority

Lando Norris sampling McLaren's new Hypercar might seem like a footnote in the grand scheme of F1, but the reigning world champion sees it as valuable experience. The 26-year-old completed 38 laps at Algarve last week, providing feedback ahead of McLaren's 2027 World Endurance Championship debut.

Why it matters:

Norris's input helps McLaren develop the MCL-HY while giving the F1 champion a fresh perspective on car setup. His praise for Hypercar's freedom — compared to F1's restrictive regulations — offers a glimpse into how differently the two top-tier series approach engineering.

The details:

• Norris was impressed by the setup options, noting Hypercar allows more freedom with electronics and adjustments than F1: "It's a bit more like old-school Formula 1."
• The MCL-HY is heavier with less downforce than an F1 car, but Norris insisted "it still feels like a quick car."
• He shared the track with McLaren's 2027 WEC drivers Mikkel Jensen and Laurens Vanthoor, using the time to learn from their experience.
• Pace reference: Hypercars are roughly 15 seconds per lap slower than F1 machinery — Peugeot's Malthe Jakobsen took Spa pole in 2m00.653s, while Kimi Antonelli's 2026 F1 benchmark was 1m44.361s.

What's next:

Norris dismissed any immediate Le Mans talk despite the 2027 race not clashing with the F1 calendar. "It's not something I've been thinking about, at all. All my focus is still on F1, and will always be." He remains open to a future Le Mans bid but offered no timeline: "I don't know if this is next year, the year after, three years, four years."