Norris: 'I'm driving better than last year' despite points deficit

Lando Norris insists he is driving at a higher personal level than during his 2025 title-winning season despite sitting fifth in the 2026 standings. The reigning champion argues that his individual performance has exceeded last year's standard at the same stage, even if McLaren's results do not yet reflect that level.

Why it matters:

Norris's focus on maximizing an underperforming package signals a marked maturation from the setbacks that threatened his 2025 charge. With Antonelli holding a commanding championship lead and McLaren trailing Mercedes in the constructors' standings, the Briton's mental sharpness could prove as valuable as any technical upgrade. His Hungary breakthrough also showed McLaren can still win when the car delivers.

The details:

• Norris claimed his driving in the first half of 2026 has been stronger than during the equivalent period of his championship-winning 2025 campaign, despite the current points deficit.
• McLaren's Hungary victory came after major upgrades transformed the MCL41 into a race-winning machine, rewarding the team's development push after a difficult opening 11 rounds.
• The Briton admitted the squad remains below its 2025 benchmark and is "disappointed with our own performance," even while acknowledging the win as proof of progress.
• Norris refused to make bold predictions for the second half, emphasizing a present-focused mindset after learning that expectations can derail execution.
• He acknowledged the MCL41 still lacks performance in certain areas, leaving him unconfident at specific tracks until further improvements arrive.

What's next:

McLaren enters the second half of the season knowing its Hungary success must become a pattern rather than an outlier. Norris is confident the team can improve the car's weaker areas and add more wins, but the gap to Antonelli and Mercedes leaves virtually no margin for error. If the upgrades keep coming, the reigning champion's belief that he is driving better than ever could fuel a genuine late-season title fight.