Reigning Method 1 champion Lando Norris has performed down his probabilities of grabbing the 2026 title, joking that the bookmakers are proper to peg Mercedes driver George Russell because the favorite.
Norris achieved his maiden championship win final season after McLaren delivered a potent machine for each him and team-mate Oscar Piastri. Whereas this season follows two consecutive constructors’ championship wins for McLaren, Mercedes is predicted to guide the event race this 12 months as new rules welcome a number of substantial adjustments to the facility unit.
Russell, main his team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in expertise by six years, is predicted to have the ability to flip this potential into one thing extra tangible.
Norris’s beloved self-deprecating humour may very well be seen as an indication of self-confidence as he mentioned this coming season with Sky Sports activities F1’s Craig Slater.
“He’s the huge favorite, to be trustworthy with you,” Norris laughed when requested about Russell main the books. “I fully agree with the bookmakers.”
Whereas Mercedes has already proven robust promise in what little we may be taught from testing in Barcelona, McLaren shares the identical energy unit with the Brixworth outfit being its engine provider.
“HPP [Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains] have accomplished an unimaginable job with getting the engine prepared. It is a massive process – like whenever you see what goes into making a automotive, it is the identical degree for an engine, or much more.
George Russell, Mercedes
Photograph by: Mercedes AMG
“They’ve been engaged on this for years already,” he continued. “There’s stuff that they’re gonna be studying. There’s stuff that we’re gonna be taught, however we’re nonetheless a part of the identical household, the identical engine provider.”
Mercedes completed second within the constructors’ standings with Russell amassing 319 factors for his workforce, leaving him in fourth place. Antonelli, in his rookie 12 months, completed seventh with 150 factors. McLaren outpaced the Silver Arrows, regardless of utilizing its powertrain.
“We work collectively as a unity,” Norris added. “Now we have the pleasure to work with them and that’ll proceed for a lot of extra years.”
The pecking order of efficiency will solely turn out to be clear because the Australian Grand Prix begins on 8 March.
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