Lando Norris has set his sights on winning back-to-back Formula One world championships after clinching his first title last year. The McLaren driver, who became only the 11th British world champion in F1 by outpacing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri at the Abu Dhabi finale in December, describes defending his crown as “absolutely the goal.”
Reflecting on his breakthrough season, Norris shared how winning the title boosted his confidence. “When you win one, it certainly gives you a lot more confidence,” he said. “I’ve never been the most confident driver, but now I have a belief in my ability that’s stronger than ever.” He explained that seeing himself succeed was key to building that belief, and midway through last season, he felt fully prepared — with the right team, car, and mindset — to challenge for the top spot.
Norris made these remarks at the Autosport Awards in London, where he was honoured as the British Competition Driver of the Year. When asked if he had rewatched the championship-winning moment in Abu Dhabi, the 26-year-old admitted he has avoided revisiting it to focus on enjoying life outside of racing. “I love Formula One, but I also love being away from it,” he stated. “It’s an incredible job, but I want to make the most of life by enjoying other experiences like traveling with friends and playing golf.”
READ MORE: New Student Housing Proposal Sparks Debate Over Growing ‘Stealth Campus’ in Bath
READ MORE: Dramatic Car Fire on M5 Near Taunton Extinguished After 31 Emergency Calls
Looking ahead, Norris will get his first chance to test McLaren’s new car at a private session in Barcelona next week. Interestingly, McLaren will skip the first day of testing, opting to begin on day two or three to maximize development time. Team principal Andrea Stella emphasised the complexity of the 2026 car’s design changes: “This is almost unprecedented — a massive transformation of chassis, power unit, and tyres all at once.”
Following the Barcelona test, there will be two more pre-season testing days in Bahrain before the championship kicks off in Australia on March 8. Norris is optimistic that with continued development and his growing confidence, he can be a formidable contender for the 2026 title.