Lando Norris has recently reflected on his improved form during the 2026 Formula 1® season, highlighting McLaren’s strong performance ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. After securing two wins in the last four races, Norris feels more consistent and confident in handling the car compared to last year.
According to Norris, McLaren’s car has shown impressive pace, being the quickest in the previous three races. Despite this, he acknowledged that a Virtual Safety Car incident in Madrid denied him a likely victory. He also mentioned feeling more relaxed and trusting his abilities more than in the previous season.
Looking ahead to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Norris expressed some reservations about the challenges the track presents. He noted that the circuit’s lack of high-speed corners does not play to McLaren’s strengths, drawing a comparison to Monaco, where the team had struggled in the past. Last year’s Azerbaijan weekend was also difficult for McLaren, adding to the cautious outlook.
Despite being 106 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who drives for Mercedes, Norris dismissed any realistic hopes of challenging for the title this season. Instead, his focus remains on trying to secure a win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, even though he anticipates it will be a tough weekend for McLaren.
Norris’s reflections underline a period of progress for both himself and the team, with improvements in consistency and car performance contributing to recent successes. However, the upcoming race at Baku represents a distinct challenge due to the circuit’s characteristics, which have historically not favoured McLaren’s package.
This assessment offers insight into the current state of the McLaren team and Norris’s mindset as the season continues. While the championship gap to Antonelli is significant, the driver’s focus on individual race performance highlights a pragmatic approach to the remainder of the 2026 season.