Lando Norris has identified that a crucial element of McLaren‘s 2025 Formula 1 success is currently missing from its 2026 package.
The Brit has appeared to set competitive lap times across both weeks of pre-season testing in Bahrain, along with team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Norris’ runs in the car have signalled that the papaya squad will be at the right end of the field, as it looks to retain both of its World Championship crowns this year.
But it appears that its long runs across the four-hour stints over the last fortnight have been left wanting, with other teams seeming to possess an edge.
Long run strength was a key cornerstone of the MCL39’s competitiveness in 2025, something that its rivals largely failed to match over the season.
But Norris, speaking at the Bahrain International Circuit, Norris admitted that, when asked if that core attribute has yet to be transferred over to the MCL40, there is still room for improvement.
“From what we see at the minute, no,” the reigning World Champion told media including Motorsport Week. “Last year we also had just a pace advantage.
“So going into the race we could almost drive slower, things worked better, and then we could drive quicker. At the minute we’re a little bit off.
“So to match the race pace of some of the others, we should be more, and then we have more degradation. Not entirely, but I’m sure there are some things, I know there are some things that were our strengths last year that will continue to be our strengths this season.
“But it’s a lot of work just to get the balance in a good window. The car worked very well last year. It was difficult to understand, but it worked well.
“And it’s still just very, very early days, but it’s part of the move. So we’ll be continuing to look into that.
“Of course I would love that, because even when we had a bad folly we knew we would have a good Sunday. And that was always something to look forward to.
“So the team working hard on every area, that includes race pace, tyre cooling, all of those things. But at the minute, yeah, we’re just kind of further improving in most areas.”
Lando Norris reveals improved ‘understanding’ of McLaren car as new parts arrive
Norris, however, did signal a reason for the team to be positive, as new parts for the MCL40 have arrived in Bahrain for this week’s programme, and a “good understanding” of the car is being found by the Woking-based outfit.
“I think we made some good steps from last week to this week already,” he revealed
“Some little things on the car that arrived and we’re further testing. It’s always hard to know, but from our own programme we got through a lot of things, we did what we wanted to.
“We got a good understanding of tyres and balances and things like that, strengths, weaknesses.”
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