Norris admits McLaren are three months behind rivals

Lando Norris has voiced concerns that McLaren is currently "three months behind" its Formula 1 rivals in the 2026 season's development race. The British driver emphasized the significant effort required to return the team to a competitive, race-winning standard.

Mclaren, who entered the season as reigning World Champions, have struggled to consistently challenge for victories, with podium finishes being their main achievement so far. Reliability issues have also hampered their progress. A third-place finish in Barcelona offered a glimmer of hope, but Norris stressed that the team must perform significantly better to close the gap.

Norris indicated that overcoming the deficit will not be solved by a single upgrade. He stated that the team needs to implement "three, four, five" significant developments, potentially adopting a new design philosophy. He estimates the team is currently two to three months behind, a gap that demands substantial work from the entire squad.

Despite the challenging task, Norris expressed confidence in his team's motivation and capability to achieve their goals. McLaren is set to test an "experimental" rear wing during practice at the Red Bull Ring. Norris currently sits fifth in the Drivers' Championship, while McLaren is third in the Constructors' standings.