Lando Norris Pushes Back on Early Comparisons After Barcelona Shakedown

Lando Norris isn’t interested in drawing conclusions from a single shakedown, even as McLaren’s early numbers from Barcelona put them behind their main rivals. The first on‑track running of the year offered a rough snapshot of where teams stand under the new 2026 regulations, and McLaren’s lap count placed them near the bottom of the mileage charts.

Mercedes and Ferrari ran almost uninterrupted for three days, while McLaren spent long stretches in the garage preparing updates and running system checks. From the outside, the gap looked significant. Inside the team, it was expected.

The 2026 rule change has forced every team to rethink its approach, and McLaren chose to prioritize factory development time over early track laps. Norris made it clear he isn’t concerned with how the numbers compare to anyone else’s at this stage.

A Deliberate Approach to Testing

The raw figures from Barcelona were hard to ignore. Mercedes completed 500 laps, Ferrari 442, and McLaren just 291. For a team aiming to build on last season’s progress, that kind of deficit naturally raises questions. But McLaren had already explained that their car would not be ready for full running on day one.

They pushed their build schedule as far as possible to incorporate late‑arriving parts, accepting that it would cost them mileage.When Norris finally got his first proper run in the MCL40, he logged 76 laps before handing the car over to Oscar Piastri. The team focused on short runs, installation checks, and basic data gathering rather than long stints.

Norris said the program went as planned.“We understood a lot, low fuel, high fuel, tyres, the basics,” he said afterward. “It was about getting the information we needed, not about how many laps we did.”

McLaren’s engineers echoed that sentiment. Their goal was to validate the car’s systems and gather enough data to feed into the next development cycle, not to chase lap totals for the sake of optics.

Reliability Takes Priority Over Headline Times

The first test of the year is rarely about performance, and Norris was clear that reliability was the main focus. With a new chassis, new power unit architecture, and new energy deployment rules, the team wanted to ensure the car’s systems were functioning correctly before pushing for speed.

“It’s to understand the car, especially from a reliability point of view,” Norris said. “Checking sensors, temperatures, the power unit, the gearbox, all the things that can catch you out later.” Modern F1 cars are so complex that a minor issue can cost an entire session.

McLaren wanted to eliminate those problems early, even if it meant sacrificing mileage. The team spent long periods in the garage analyzing data and making adjustments, which reduced the lap count but gave them confidence in the car’s baseline health.

Adjusting to a Very Different Car

Beyond the technical work, Norris is still adapting to the MCL40. The 2026 regulations have significantly changed the driving experience. The cars are lighter, the aero balance shifts more dramatically between active modes, and the power delivery feels different due to the increased reliance on electric deployment. Norris admitted he’s still getting used to it.

“Some little bits I need to change here and there, but otherwise it still feels like a race car,” he said. “It’s one of the biggest changes I’ve had to get used to.”He mentioned cockpit adjustments, steering feel, and brake behavior as areas that still need refinement. These are normal early‑season issues, but they take time to iron out, especially when mileage is limited.

The Competitive Picture Remains Unclear

On the timing sheets, McLaren ended the shakedown roughly two‑tenths off Lewis Hamilton’s best lap. That gap isn’t alarming, but it does suggest that McLaren has work to do before it can challenge the front. Still, Norris isn’t reading too much into it. He knows that early testing often produces misleading results.

Fuel loads vary, engine modes are restricted, and teams hide performance until the final days of preseason. More importantly, McLaren chose to sacrifice track time for wind‑tunnel and simulator work. They believe that decision will pay off once the full development package arrives.

The team’s technical staff has hinted that several major upgrades are already scheduled for the next test, including revised aero surfaces and updated cooling solutions. Barcelona was never intended to show the car’s true pace. It was a systems check.

What It Means Heading Into the Season

McLaren enters the next phase of testing with more unknowns than Mercedes or Ferrari, but also with a clear plan. Norris is focused on internal progress rather than external comparisons, and the team believes their development path will close the gap once the full package is on the car.

The real competitive picture won’t emerge until qualifying in Australia. Until then, the lap charts from Barcelona are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Lando Norris is approaching the 2026 season with a measured outlook.

Barcelona didn’t deliver big lap counts or standout times, but the team achieved what it set out to do: validate the car, gather data, and prepare for the next development steps. Norris isn’t concerned with how McLaren compares to Mercedes or Ferrari at this stage, and he’s not treating the shakedown as a performance benchmark.

What’s Next

There’s still plenty of work ahead, but McLaren believes the missing mileage can be recovered once the full upgrade package arrives. If Norris settles into the MCL40 and the team continues to build on the foundation laid in Barcelona, the slow start will matter far less once the season begins.