Norris Bullish on McLaren's F1 Potential Amid Strugglies

Norris eyes Japan revival for McLaren

Lando Norris stays confident despite McLaren's tough start to the F1 season, eyes turnaround in Japan.

“I have a good belief in the team and I think we can have the best car this year...”

Lando Norris is staying positive despite McLaren's rough start to the season. The F1 driver believes he can still get into title contention, even with a 36-point deficit to George Russell after just two grands prix.

Norris heads to Japan this week with confidence, looking to bounce back from a disastrous non-start in China.

 

“What we are thinking of is getting on the podium first of all and then returning to winning races,” said the Briton.

“The points then take care of themselves and we'll see what we can claw back, and we're confident in that.

“I have a good belief in the team and I think we can have the best car this year,” he added.

Norris admits McLaren's struggling with the new F1 regs, but he's bullish about the car's potential. He's targeting a strong showing in Japan to turn things around.

McLaren's had a tough start, but Norris is focusing on the positives, saying the car's got “a lot of potential.” Suzuka could be a turning point.

Focus mode: 🔛#McLarenF1 pic.twitter.com/1EpU2A09ov

— McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team (@McLarenF1) March 19, 2026

Norris had some promising moments in Australia and China (5th in Oz, 4th in China sprint), but Shanghai was a disaster - he didn't even make the grid. McLaren's form has been shaky, to say the least.

Technical issues took out both Norris and Piastri in China - separate problems, same painful outcome. Norris says they've ID'd the issues now, but admits it “hurt us as a team.“

"What hurt most was the fact it was out of our control,” he said.

“But we've worked hard to figure things out, to understand how it happened, why it happened, and of course we'll do everything we can to make sure it doesn't happen again.”

Can he turn things around in Suzuka?