Norris Says McLaren Needs More Pace for Melbourne as Title Defense Begins
He balances confidence from last year’s title with a warning that the new rules have reshaped the field.
Overview
- Lando Norris, the reigning champion, says McLaren’s MCL40 requires significant improvement to compete confidently at the season opener.
- After a solid but unspectacular Bahrain test, McLaren is viewed as a top-four outfit rather than matching the frontrunners’ pace.
- Norris states he does not feel a specific responsibility to defend the crown, though he will do his best to retain it.
- He reports heightened self-belief from winning the 2025 championship and says he knows he can do it again over a long campaign.
- Based on current form, he suggests a win at Albert Park is unlikely without rapid gains in performance.