Lando Norris shows significant improvement after McLaren upgrades
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 27, 2026, 1:41 PM
Last updated Aug 27, 2026

Lando Norris has emerged as a strong contender for the 2026 Formula 1 world title following recent upgrades to the McLaren MCL40. After facing a challenging start to the season, Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix and the Dutch Grand Prix, reducing his points deficit to the championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The upgrades included enhancements to front and rear bodywork, a new floor, and a rear wing, which have markedly improved performance. Team principal Andrea Stella highlighted Norris's high driving level and increased assertiveness, emphasizing ongoing improvements in his racecraft. Norris now sits at 83 points behind Antonelli in the standings as the season progresses.
- •Norris won both the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix.
- •Recent upgrades have improved McLaren's performance and Norris's driving.
- •Norris is now 83 points behind championship leader Antonelli.
- •Team principal Andrea Stella praises Norris's improving racecraft.
- •The upgrades included a new floor and enhancements to bodywork.
- 1:41 PMMotorsport.com — How Lando Norris has grown even better since his F1 title, as per McLaren
- 1:41 PMYahoo Sports — How Lando Norris has grown even better since his F1 title, as per McLaren
"Just over a month ago, it seemed pretty clear that McLaren was going to be unable to successfully defend the Formula 1 drivers’ title in 2026. Coming into the Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli led the standings with 204 points to his name, while the papaya drivers combined couldn’t even match that tally – Lando Norris was on 103, Oscar Piastri on 92. However, McLaren ...Keep reading
"Two grands prix have turned Lando Norris into an unexpected dark horse for the 2026 world title. Here’s how the reigning champion has improved, according to team boss Andrea Stella
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comAug 27, 2026, 1:41 PMHow Lando Norris has grown even better since his F1 title, as per McLaren
Just over a month ago, it seemed pretty clear that McLaren was going to be unable to successfully defend the Formula 1 drivers’ title in 2026. Coming into the Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli led the standings with 204 points to his name, while the papaya drivers combined couldn’t even match that tally – Lando Norris was on 103, Oscar Piastri on 92. However, McLaren ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsAug 27, 2026, 1:41 PMHow Lando Norris has grown even better since his F1 title, as per McLaren
Two grands prix have turned Lando Norris into an unexpected dark horse for the 2026 world title. Here’s how the reigning champion has improved, according to team boss Andrea Stella
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