Lando Norris claims new McLaren ‘feels like F2 car’ following…read more
Lando Norris has revealed that McLaren’s new-generation Formula 1 car gives him sensations similar to driving a Formula 2 machine, highlighting just how different the 2026-spec cars feel compared to the previous era. After completing significant mileage during a recent shakedown in Barcelona, the reigning world champion shared mixed feelings about the new car’s behavior and driving style.
McLaren put the new car through its early paces at the Barcelona test, where Norris logged 163 laps — covering roughly 759 kilometers — as teams began adapting to the sweeping regulation changes introduced for 2026. These new rules have transformed both the aerodynamic concept and the power unit characteristics, placing greater emphasis on electrical energy deployment and efficiency. As a result, drivers are having to adjust their approach behind the wheel.
Speaking after the running, Norris explained that the handling traits of the car feel closer to what drivers typically experience in Formula 2, the final step on the junior single-seater ladder before F1. Norris last competed in F2 in 2018, finishing runner-up in the championship, so the comparison comes from direct personal experience.
According to Norris, the new McLaren demands a different driving technique that is not entirely aligned with what drivers have grown used to in recent Formula 1 seasons. He noted that the way corners must be approached and how the car responds under load reminds him more of F2 machinery than modern F1 cars. While he said the experience is intriguing, he admitted he is still undecided about whether he prefers this new feel.
He pointed out that the characteristics observed in Barcelona may not tell the whole story. The Spanish circuit features several medium- and higher-speed corners that flow more openly, often taken in third or fourth gear. Norris suggested that these conditions may flatter certain aspects of the new car design. He cautioned that the true test will come at very different types of circuits — especially tighter street tracks and more uneven, bumpy venues — where slow-speed grip and ride behavior will be more heavily challenged.
Norris emphasized that upcoming running in Bahrain should provide a clearer picture. That circuit offers a contrasting layout and surface, which should help teams and drivers better understand how the new-generation cars behave across a broader range of corner types and track conditions. With more data, McLaren and its rivals will be able to refine setups and driving approaches before the season begins.
The 2026 Formula 1 season is scheduled to begin in Melbourne at the Albert Park Circuit for the Australian Grand Prix weekend. Track action starts on Friday, March 6, with the opening free practice session at 12:30pm local time (1:30am GMT). Qualifying for the first race of the year will take place on Saturday afternoon, followed by the race start on Sunday at 3pm local time (4am GMT).
Before the championship officially kicks off, teams will participate in two pre-season tests in Bahrain, each lasting three days. The first test window runs from February 11 to February 13, with a second session scheduled for February 18 to February 20. These tests are expected to be crucial as teams work to understand the new technical package and optimize reliability, energy management, and car balance.
With major rule changes reshaping the cars, Norris’s early comparison to Formula 2 machinery underlines how dramatic the shift may feel for drivers — and suggests that adaptation could be a key factor in the early part of the 2026 season.
