David Coulthard doesn’t think Lando Norris will retain his F1 title in 2026
Photo by Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto via Getty Images David Coulthard has shared his thoughts on the real contenders for the 2026 F1 championship, essentially dismissing Lando Norris’ chances of retaining his title given Mercedes’ strong start to the season. After a slow start to the year, Norris picked up his first win of the campaign in Miami, leading home a McLaren one-two in the Sprint. The reigning champion came close to doubling up in Sunday’s race but fell short against Kimi Antonelli by just over three seconds.
Norris nearly made it a clean sweep that weekend but fell short by just over three seconds against Kimi Antonelli in Sunday’s Grand Prix. Even so, it marked a clear shift in McLaren’s form, especially after they opened the season with three DNSs across the first two races. Things were looking grim before Miami, but an upgrade package seems to have turned things around.
But according to David Coulthard, there are only two real contenders for this year’s championship – and Norris isn’t one of them. Speaking on Channel 4, he said: “I think only two drivers can win this world championship. They both drive Silver Arrows.
” McLaren and Ferrari left out of title race by David Coulthard in F1 analysis During a recent episode of the Beyond the Grid podcast , Coulthard shared his view on the current pecking order after being asked which team he’d choose to drive for if given the option. Naturally, Mercedes came up first, with Coulthard saying: “Well, it would seem obvious to say that what we’re seeing perform right now, in this new set of regulations. Mercedes are up and running, so they are absolutely safe.
” The Scot also pointed to the rest of F1’s ‘big four’ as smart options for anyone looking to find success. “Your big four are quite clearly where the safe places are,” Coulthard said. “So Mercedes, McLaren , and Ferrari.