Lando Norris warns F1 rivals McLaren will 'out-develop' them

Like the Red Bull driver who made a miraculous title comeback last season, Norris is confident that this year McLaren will be the ones making up the ground.

Reigning champion Norris is more than used to his McLaren team making rapid development, something they’ve become specialists at during the Zak Brown era.

The Woking-based squad are third in the constructors’ championship, a battle they won with ease in 2025 before starting this year’s campaign nowhere near leaders Mercedes.

That gap is now closing, and a win last time out in Hungary has given Norris the confidence that his team will again win the development race.

Speaking about the four-week summer break, the Brit explained to GPblog and others why it’s more important for the team than the drivers.

“Honestly, the breaks are more important for the team than they are for myself,” he said.

Despite his hopes for the team, the defending champion kept his feet on the ground when it comes to his own expectations.

Zandvoort is a similar track to the Hungaroring, but Norris is by no means banking on back-to-back race wins.

Asked about the confidence the victory brought to the team, he added: “For myself, for the whole team, quite a bit.