Lando Norris is optimistic that McLaren will soon return to winning ways after securing third place at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Despite Mercedes' dominance throughout the 2026 season, Norris’s podium finish marked just his second of the year and signals progress for the team.
This race ended Mercedes' winning streak, with Lewis Hamilton claiming Ferrari’s first victory of the season on a strategic three-stop approach, unlike the two-stop strategies employed by Mercedes and McLaren. Hamilton’s win, complemented by George Russell’s second place following Kimi Antonelli’s late retirement, led to an all-British podium—the first since 1968.
Norris expressed admiration for Hamilton’s performance and Ferrari’s resurgence: “It’s pretty special. Hamilton has certainly upped his game recently. Growing up, I was a fan of Lewis and as a seven-time world champion, it’s great to see him succeed again with Ferrari. Sharing the podium with him and George, all three Brits, is a proud moment for us.”
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Reflecting on his own race, Norris acknowledged the challenge of matching Hamilton and Russell’s pace but was pleased with his result. “It was a tough race. I did my best to keep up, and although they were just too quick, we stayed in contention and got a bit lucky with Antonelli’s retirement. I’m very happy with the team and being back on the podium.”
Despite the strong performances from Ferrari and Mercedes, Norris believes McLaren’s car has potential. “The MCL40 needs a bit of everything to close the gap. We’re making progress, but these guys are doing a better job right now. We have to keep working hard, keep our heads down, and stay focused. The whole team is committed, and I believe we’ll be challenging for wins soon.”