Lando Norris has reflected on McLaren’s missed chance to secure a podium finish at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, pointing to a pit stop error and race circumstances that affected his final result. Despite showing strong pace throughout the race, Norris finished seventh after starting 13th due to a grid penalty.
Norris qualified third but was handed a 10-place grid penalty for a power electronics unit change, which pushed him back to 13th on the starting grid. During the race, he made rapid progress through the field, but a slow pit stop lasting 7.8 seconds and a missed opportunity to pit under a Virtual Safety Car hampered his chances of reaching the podium. He insisted that McLaren’s pace was “easily good enough” to secure a top-three finish.
The race also saw Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri involved in contact with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, which caused damage that compromised Piastri’s performance and allowed Lewis Hamilton to overtake him later in the race. Both McLaren drivers ended up finishing behind the leading drivers from Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, highlighting the gap that still exists between McLaren and the top teams.
Norris noted that McLaren did not bring any upgrades to their car for the Belgian Grand Prix, with plans to introduce updates at the next race in Hungary. Piastri acknowledged that the team remains “one step behind” the leaders and emphasized the need for improvement to close the gap.
The Belgian Grand Prix weekend underlined the challenges McLaren faces in competing with the top teams, despite showing promising race pace. Norris’s recovery drive from 13th to seventh demonstrated the car’s potential, but operational setbacks and race incidents prevented a better result.
Oscar Piastri’s incident with Leclerc was a significant moment in his race, affecting his ability to maintain position and ultimately finishing behind Hamilton. Both drivers’ results reflected the current competitive order, with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull still holding an advantage over McLaren.
Looking ahead, McLaren’s focus will be on the upcoming upgrades planned for Hungary, aiming to improve their competitiveness. Norris’s comments highlight the fine margins that can influence race outcomes and the importance of both pace and execution during race weekends.
