Norris insists he's driving better than ever despite fading 2026 title hopes

Lando Norris is convinced he's driving better than ever in 2026, even though his championship defense is slipping away. The McLaren driver dominated the Hungarian Grand Prix for his first win of the season, claiming the performance proved he has taken another step forward despite McLaren dropping to third in the pecking order behind Mercedes and Ferrari.

Why it matters:

McLaren's fall from dominance following the regulation reset has left Norris fifth in the standings and 91 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli, making a second title nearly impossible. But his continued growth as a driver is crucial for the team's long-term ambitions, showing he can maximize results even when the MCL40 isn't the fastest car on the grid.

The details:

• Norris recovered from a poor start in Hungary to overtake Oscar Piastri during the pit window, then built a 15-second lead that was so commanding the team asked him to save tires.
• He described the drive as "up there with one of my best performances," arguing he is operating closer to the limit every lap while working on improvements both at and away from the track.
• Team principal Andrea Stella backed that claim, noting Norris has become more confident, more aware of his tools, and far better at managing his emotions in wheel-to-wheel combat.
• Stella contrasted this season with 2025, when Piastri held a 15-point advantage after 11 rounds before Norris mounted his late title charge.

What's next:

With Mercedes and Ferrari setting the pace, McLaren faces a steep climb to get back into championship contention this year. Norris's focus now turns to maintaining this level of performance and ensuring that when the team does close the gap, he is ready to convert it into wins immediately.