Lando Norris still sees ‘potential’ at McLaren F1

SUZUKA, JAPAN - MARCH 26: Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren speaks in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on March 26, 2026 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) | Getty Images The 2025 Formula 1 season began in dream-like fashion for McLaren, with Lando Norris taking the win at the Australian Grand Prix and then settling for second behind teammate Oscar Piastri at the Chinese Grand Prix. 2026 has been something quite different for the team.

Piastri crashed on the reconnaissance at the Australian Grand Prix this year, and after suffering a mechanical fault on his MCL40 he could not start the Chinese Grand Prix, and he arrived in Suzuka for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix yet to turn a single lap in a Grand Prix this season. As for Norris, while he finished fifth in Melbourne, he too endured a failure prior to the beginning of the Chinese Grand Prix, and did not start the race. As a result, the defending Constructors’ Champions currently sit third in the standings with 18 points, well off the pace set by both Mercedes and Ferrari.

Still, Norris sees the “potential” in this season’s challenger, despite the uneven start to the year. “The car has a lot of potential,” said Norris during the FIA Press Conference ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix on Thursday. “We’re certainly not where we wanted to be, but I think … the real question you probably ask is would I rather be here and have won last year, or would I rather have a slightly better car now and not have won last year, and I think you know what my answer would be.

“So, you can’t have the best of everything. ” The defending Drivers’ Champion then turned to the gap between McLaren and the two teams at the front. “As a team we certainly are not where we want to be and where we desire to be, but I think we all know within the team what we can achieve.