George Russell has identified McLaren as the team to beat for the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Russell’s assessment follows Lando Norris’s recent back-to-back victories in Hungary and the Netherlands.
The Mercedes driver specifically highlighted McLaren’s proficiency on circuits with high tyre degradation. He praised Norris as a specialist in these demanding race conditions.
McLaren, the reigning Constructors’ and Drivers’ Champions from 2025, experienced a challenging start to the 2026 season. The team initially grappled with reliability issues and a development deficit compared to Mercedes.
A significant turnaround occurred with a transformative upgrade package introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix. This development notably improved the MCL40’s competitiveness.
Norris secured his first win of the current season in Hungary, followed by a dominant performance at the Dutch Grand Prix. He managed to set the fastest lap on well-used hard tyres at Zandvoort.
Mercedes, Russell’s team, demonstrated early-season dominance in 2026. Kimi Antonelli currently leads the drivers’ standings, with Russell securing two victories.
However, Mercedes’ advantage has diminished in recent events, with both Ferrari and McLaren achieving podium finishes. Reliability concerns have also impacted their performance.
Ferrari has shown gradual improvement throughout the season. Lewis Hamilton secured a victory in Barcelona, and Charles Leclerc won at Silverstone.
The Scuderia also displayed strong pace on hard and medium tyre compounds during the Dutch Grand Prix. Ferrari is anticipated to introduce an engine upgrade at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix.
Red Bull endured a difficult start to the 2026 campaign, initially ranking sixth in the standings after the first three rounds. The team has since recovered to fourth in the Constructors’ standings.
Max Verstappen has achieved consecutive podium finishes before the summer break, including a second-place result in Hungary. The 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the 13th round of the season, is scheduled for September 4–6.
