Lando Norris shared his thoughts on George Russell, a fellow Brit and long-standing acquaintance from their karting days, as the 2026 Formula One season approaches its opening race in Melbourne. Norris singled out Russell with the adjective “sneaky,” emphasizing the Mercedes driver’s clever and sometimes subtle approach on the track. With the new regulations introducing hybrid engines and lighter, more agile cars, Norris anticipates a fierce competition among the top teams especially those led by drivers like Russell.
Setting the Scene at McLaren’s Woking Headquarters
Norris granted his only newspaper interview of the season at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, a state-of-the-art facility designed by Norman Foster. Surrounded by legendary cars displayed within “The Spine,” the team’s underground hall, the 26-year-old world champion appeared relaxed yet focused as he reflected on his recent championship victory in Abu Dhabi. His conversation revealed a candid assessment of his personal journey to the title and his outlook for the grueling 24-race campaign ahead.
Assessing the Competition in the 2026 Season
Norris ranks McLaren as the third-quickest team in the early stages of the new season’s regulations, trailing expected leaders Mercedes and Ferrari. He highlighted Mercedes, backed by Russell, as the favorite to capture the title, with Ferrari showing impressive early pace. Verstappen’s Red Bull remains competitive but sits just behind these frontrunners, alongside McLaren. The rest of the grid, including teams like Haas and Alpine, lags noticeably behind the top four.
George Russell: A Cerebral and Calculated Challenger
George Russell assumed the lead role at Mercedes in 2025 after Lewis Hamilton’s departure, making him a prime contender for the championship next year. Norris, reflecting on their shared British heritage and past karting experience, praised Russell’s intelligence and strategic mindset. He commented,
“George always knows what he’s doing. He tries to look the good guy. But he’ll do what he needs to do, in a sneaky way at times. But I think a lot of him. He is a very, very good driver. He’ll play the game whenever he has to play the game. I mean, he’s smart. He sometimes tries to come across like he’s not.”
—Lando Norris, World Champion
Norris placed Russell alongside Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as some of the sport’s most clever and switched-on competitors.
“There is always a reason to put your car here or there or to do this or that. They are not clumsy drivers. They are clever like that,”
he added. This respect underscores the tactical aspect of Formula One, where mental acuity can be as critical as raw speed.
Norris’s Confidence and Mental Battles in His Championship Year
Norris opened up about the mental challenges he faced during early 2025, revealing a period of self-doubt and fluctuating confidence before ultimately securing the title. Despite being the 11th Briton to win motor racing’s highest honor, he described himself as having started the season with only moderate confidence, sometimes struggling to believe in his ability to be the very best.
“At the beginning of last season I was in the middle, to under that. Do I believe I am a very good driver and can fight to be one of the best in the world? Yes. But to fight to be the best and to be No1 is very difficult if you are in that under-confident group.”
—Lando Norris, World Champion
He pinpointed a turning point ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, after a stretch of inconsistent results, when he began focusing intently on improving his mindset and car setup. Norris also shared personal tactics he used to minimize distractions, such as deleting Instagram to avoid negative comments.
“Some of it was trying not to question myself going into qualifying, just because my mind is always active,”
he said. These reflections highlight the psychological intensity of competing at the highest level of motorsport.
Rivalries on and off the Track
Norris’s championship fight with Max Verstappen and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri pushed him to new heights, with Verstappen recognized by Norris as the greatest driver of all time for his relentless determination. However, Norris denied feeling overshadowed by Verstappen’s dominance throughout the season.
“I don’t think there is any spell,”
Norris said in reference to Verstappen’s psychological influence.
Regarding his status as the reigning world champion, Norris showed humility and realism.
“I have never been one just to say, Yes,”
he admitted. His approach reflects the complexity of Formula One, where performance varies weekly, saying,
“There will be days when Oscar did better than me on certain weekends. Or when George is quicker. Or Lewis. Or Charles.”
—Lando Norris, World Champion
He stressed that the championship is decided over an entire season and praised Max Verstappen’s relentless skill, describing him as a “genius” who frequently proves his talent, but also acknowledged that other drivers outperform each other on different occasions.
The Reality of Becoming a Champion
Reflecting on the dream-like nature of being world champion, Norris remarked it was a transformative experience compared to watching previous champions like Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, and Sebastian Vettel win on television.
“It’s also amazing to be reminded of it by others when I compare it to what I grew up wanting. I have a different perspective and feeling now,”
he explained. While external perceptions may shift after achieving the title, he stated,
“People may look at you differently from the outside but it doesn’t change my opinion of myself.”
Norris also addressed his private life, politely declining to discuss reports about his relationship status with Portuguese model Magui Corceiro, emphasizing his wish to keep that part of his life confidential.
Connections Beyond Racing
As a world champion, Norris described enjoying the opportunities to meet and build relationships with other top athletes, such as NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
“You get respect from other athletes because they understand what it takes to get to the top more than other people do. You get to meet them and build a relationship and can become friends. You get to meet some incredible people,”
he said. These experiences extend beyond racing, providing a broader perspective on achievement and competition.
Ambitions Moving Forward
In a candid moment last year, Norris half-joked about potentially stopping after winning one title, akin to Nico Rosberg who retired after winning in 2016. However, he quickly dispelled any notion of stepping back soon.
“No, 100 per cent I want to win more,”
he insisted.
“I am in Formula One to win. I will stop if I know I no longer like it. But it won’t be anytime soon.”
His passion, rooted in a lifelong love of racing, remains strong as he prepares to defend his crown in 2026 and beyond. Norris acknowledged that his career length is uncertain but emphasized that for now, his drive to succeed is undiminished.
