Lando Norris has delivered a direct assessment of McLaren’s current performance, stating the team is the “worst of the top four” in Formula 1. His comments followed the Singapore Grand Prix, where McLaren secured fourth and fifth positions.
Norris attributed this position to a lack of development parts, indicating no significant upgrades are imminent. This situation poses a challenge for McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship.
The 2026 Formula 1 season introduced substantial changes to both chassis and power unit regulations. These include a 50:50 split between internal combustion and electric power.
Active aerodynamics, featuring adjustable front and rear wings, were also implemented to reduce drag on straights. These regulations have demanded significant adaptation from all teams.
McLaren, the 2025 Drivers’ Champion with Norris, has secured two Grand Prix victories in 2026, both with Norris in Hungary and the Netherlands. The team also has five additional podiums.
Despite these successes, Norris and Oscar Piastri currently sit sixth and seventh in the Drivers’ Championship standings. They trail Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull drivers.
In the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren holds third place with 339 points. However, Red Bull Racing is closely behind with 332 points after the Singapore event.
This seven-point margin highlights the pressure on McLaren with six race weekends remaining in the 2026 season. Red Bull has shown a significant resurgence in recent races.
Max Verstappen, for Red Bull, secured back-to-back victories in Malaysia and Singapore. His team’s recent gains are attributed to both chassis upgrades and power unit performance.
Red Bull’s team principal Laurent Mekies noted Verstappen’s “technical sensitivity” as crucial in guiding the RB22’s development. This has transformed their car’s competitiveness.
Norris described the MCL40 as “tough to drive” and “mentally draining” due to its demanding characteristics. He stated it feels like driving “on a knife edge on every single corner.”
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the MCL40 suffers from fundamental handling issues. These cannot be fully resolved until the 2027 car design.
Piastri, known for a smoother driving style, has found adapting to the MCL40 particularly challenging. The car demands more aggressive inputs from drivers.
McLaren does plan phased aerodynamic upgrades for the final three races of the season. These will commence at the upcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin.
These developments aim to reduce the performance gap to leading teams and gather data for the 2027 car. However, they may not address the underlying handling problems.
The Singapore Grand Prix weekend also featured an incident between Norris and Piastri during the Sprint Race. They collided on the final lap at Turn 5 while battling for fourth position.
Norris attempted an inside overtake, resulting in contact that spun both McLarens. Piastri retired from the Sprint, while Norris recovered to finish eighth.
Stewards investigated the collision but deemed it a racing incident, taking no further action. Norris later apologised to the team for his role in the clash.
“I can’t attempt what I did, I should never have attempted it in the first place, even if the move was on,” Norris stated. “I simply have to think more about the team that I represent more than myself. It was a mistake on my part, I let down the team.”
Team Principal Andrea Stella expressed disappointment regarding the intra-team contact.
In the main Grand Prix, Piastri experienced a slow puncture, necessitating an additional pit stop. Norris also acknowledged an impatient move against Lewis Hamilton.
This error allowed Andrea Kimi Antonelli to gain position, impacting Norris’s race for a podium finish. Norris ultimately secured fourth place.
McLaren’s focus remains on maximising performance with the planned upgrades. The team aims to defend its third-place Constructors’ position against Red Bull.
