Lando Norris has identified a unique edge he holds as he prepares to defend his Formula 1 championship in the 2026 season. During pre-season testing, the McLaren driver carried the No.1 on his car for the first time as the reigning champion, a symbol of his recent success. Although Norris currently holds the crown, the odds favor his British rival George Russell from Mercedes as the favorite for next year’s title.
Norris entered Formula 1 in 2019 alongside Russell and Alex Albon, but as the only one among them to have won a championship, he acknowledges that his title victory has intensified the drive within his competitors. He told reporters that while Russell’s status as the bookmakers’ pick has made him excited, Norris believes his championship experience brings a valuable advantage into the upcoming season.
We all came into F1 at the same time, and it [his title win] has created more hunger for them, especially for George because he is the bookies’ favourite. He is a bit giddy at the moment and that is a great thing to see,
Norris said.
I hope there is that little bit extra level of respect that comes from winning the title because the people who have done it know what it takes. That is cool, an extra bonus and not something I have asked for.
How Championship Status Has Influenced Norris’s Mindset
When asked if becoming an F1 champion has changed how he approaches racing, Norris explained that his mentality has evolved but remains grounded in ambition. He contrasts his style with that of Max Verstappen and emphasizes his focus on continuous improvement. According to Norris, competing at the highest level demands near perfection, and there are still many areas where he aims to grow.
It is quite clear I have a different mentality and approach to Max, good or bad. I am always trying to improve, and I know there are areas that I am not at the level I need to be,
he stated.
When you are fighting these guys, you need to be close to perfection. There are still plenty of things I want to work on and be better on.
Despite the new status as champion, Norris maintains the same hunger and motivation to win as he did before claiming the title. He emphasized that last season’s triumph has not diminished his determination to succeed again, rather it has reinforced his commitment to the sport and his belief in his abilities.
“I don’t feel any different coming into this season. I want to go out and win and that is my baseline feeling. But if I don’t achieve it again, I will always have something that I am very proud of and I know is a huge achievement,”
Norris said.
“It certainly hasn’t taken away any ambition or desire to want to do it again or to come into this season and to not care about it. If anything, I enjoyed last year a lot and of course I want to do it again.
I have come into this season with the same ambition and motivation as last year which is to try and win it.
Implications for the 2026 F1 Season and Norris’s Pursuit
Lando Norris’s acknowledgment of his ‘extra bonus’ as a reigning champion highlights a psychological component that may influence rivalries in the 2026 F1 season. His belief that previous title winners understand the demands of success adds an intangible respect that could work in his favor amidst the intense competition with drivers like George Russell and Max Verstappen.
As McLaren looks forward to challenging Mercedes and Aston Martin, Norris’s mindset reflects a blend of cautious optimism and relentless drive. His preparedness to defend the championship, mixed with the expectation of fiercer challenges, sets the stage for a gripping season ahead in Formula 1.
