Lando Norris has declared that defending his first Formula One world championship is “absolutely the goal.” The 26-year-old British driver claimed the title last December in Abu Dhabi, becoming the 11th British F1 world champion. He edged out Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen as well as his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in an unforgettable finale.
While McLaren dominated the previous season, a major overhaul in F1 regulations has introduced uncertainties about which teams will lead in the upcoming campaign. Despite this, Norris remains confident. “Winning one title gives you a lot more confidence,” he explained. “It is different for every driver. I’ve never been the most confident in myself, but after last season, I certainly have more.”
Norris credits his belief in victory to visualizing success: “I’m a ‘seeing is believing’ kind of person. Halfway through last year, I felt I had everything — the right team, car, and ability — to win the championship. That belief turned out to be spot on.”
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Speaking at the Autosport Awards in London, where he was honored as British Competition Driver of the Year, Norris also shared that he hasn’t rewatched his title-winning moment. “I’ve tried to enjoy life away from Formula One too. I love the sport but also value time with friends, playing golf, and experiencing life beyond racing.”
Looking ahead, Norris will get his first opportunity to drive McLaren’s car for the new season during behind-closed-doors testing in Barcelona next week. However, McLaren will skip the first of five testing days, focusing their efforts on the final days to maximize development time. Team principal Andrea Stella remarked, “The level of change for 2026—from chassis to power units and tires—is unprecedented. We want to ensure we use our time effectively.”
Following Barcelona, teams will have two more pre-season tests in Bahrain before the season opener in Australia on March 8. With determination and fresh confidence, Norris aims to build on his maiden championship and carve his name in F1 history once more.