McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has expressed strong confidence in Lando Norris’s prospects as the 2026 Formula One season approaches, emphasizing Norris’s motivation and belief in retaining the championship. Following Norris’s victory at the 2025 Drivers’ Championship in Abu Dhabi, where he narrowly beat Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri, McLaren aims to continue its success with both drivers competing at the highest level.
Brown expects that with the right car, both Norris and Piastri will be serious contenders for the title once again. Norris is eager to build on his breakthrough championship, while Piastri is focused on maintaining consistent performances throughout the season to mount a sustained challenge.
New Regulations and McLaren’s Preparations for 2026
As Formula One teams adapt to the revised regulations introduced for 2026, McLaren has brought forward its new car, targeting a third consecutive Constructors’ Championship. With the second round of pre-season testing scheduled in Bahrain, McLaren’s engineers are honing car setups to meet the fresh technical demands. The team’s preparations aim to provide Norris and Piastri with competitive machinery to fight on equal terms with their closest rivals.
Comparing Norris’s Mindset with Formula One Legends
Zak Brown drew parallels between Norris’s mindset and that of legendary multiple world champions, highlighting the young driver’s ambition following his first title. Brown noted the difference between drivers who lose motivation after winning once and those who, like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Michael Schumacher, strive to add multiple championships.
“There are some drivers that say, ‘I’ve done it, now I’m done.’ And then you have drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher who go, I’ve done it once, now I want to do it twice and three and four times. Lando’s confidence is very high. He’s highly motivated. It’s our job to give he and Oscar equipment again to be able to let him fight it out for the championship. But if we can do that, I would think Oscar and Lando will both be in with a shout.”
Zak Brown, McLaren Chief Executive
Team Dynamics and Race Strategy Without Restrictive Internal Policies
Last season, McLaren faced scrutiny over strategic calls that affected race outcomes, particularly decisions requiring Piastri to yield position to Norris. These moments sparked tension among fans and highlighted challenges in managing two competitive teammates. Nevertheless, Brown confirmed there will be no imposition of strict team orders or so-called “Papaya Rules” in 2026.
“They continue to be free to race,”
“Again, we will be strategic and intelligent when situations arise. There won’t be much change because they were free to race last year.”
Zak Brown, McLaren Chief Executive
Maintaining Team Cohesion Ahead of Bahrain Testing
As McLaren shifts focus to the upcoming Bahrain pre-season testing, the team prioritizes reliability, performance evaluation, and maintaining clear communication within the garage. Balancing the ambitions of Norris and Piastri remains central, with equal opportunities given to both drivers as McLaren seeks to defend its titles in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
Rivals continue to watch closely as McLaren manages its driver pairing and refines its approach under the new regulations, with the season’s early testing providing critical insight into the team’s readiness for ongoing competition.
