Lando Norris’ confidence is “even greater” for the 2026 System 1 season after he gained his first drivers’ title final 12 months, McLaren Racing chief govt officer Zak Brown says.
As McLaren launched their automobile for the brand new season, two days earlier than the beginning of the second pre-season check in Bahrain, Brown mentioned Norris wished to grow to be a a number of title winner.
He predicted the British driver’s team-mate Oscar Piastri would once more pose a powerful problem, having led the championship for a lot of final season solely to fade within the closing a part of the 12 months.
He mentioned: “There are some drivers that say, ‘I’ve accomplished it, now I am accomplished.’
“After which you’ve gotten drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher who go, I’ve accomplished it as soon as, now I wish to do it twice and three and 4 instances.
“Lando’s confidence may be very excessive. He is extremely motivated. It is our job to present he and Oscar gear once more to have the ability to let him struggle it out for the championship. But when we will try this, I’d suppose Oscar and Lando will each be in with a shout.”
Brown mentioned that, as final 12 months, the staff would enable their drivers to race one another for the title.
“They proceed to be free to race. Once more, we shall be strategic and clever when conditions come up. There will not be a lot change as a result of they had been free to race final 12 months,” he mentioned.
Brown is optimistic McLaren, who additionally gained their second consecutive constructors’ title final 12 months, shall be “robust” when the brand new season begins with the Australian Grand Prix from 6-8 March.
Brown mentioned the proof of the primary ‘shakedown’ check in Spain final month was that they, Mercedes, Ferrari and Purple Bull “all appeared aggressive”.
Brown mentioned: “Very dangerous to guage. Spain, what I’d say is we really feel like we’ll be aggressive.
“Very early days, however indications that we’ll be robust. However it will be untimely to make any predictions past that.”
