For the first time in his career, McLaren F1’s Lando Norris heads into his home race at the 2026 F1 British GP as the reigning race winner and World Champion. After delivering a wet-weather masterclass to claim victory in 2025, Norris became the twelfth British driver to win the British Grand Prix. While McLaren’s competitiveness is not where it was at this point last year, the Briton heads into the weekend with plenty of excitement.
“Pretty damn cool. I mean, every year here is cool, honestly, so the championship isn’t the thing that makes it much better or much worse.”, Norris said during Thursday’s press conference. “It’s just always a pleasure, always a joy to drive in front of your home fans, friends, family, the whole lot, and team as well, so I’ve always loved it.”
One year on, he admitted that having already experienced the joys of winning his home race and securing a World Championship, he heads into the weekend feeling much more relaxed but remains determined to repeat that success once again.
“I’ve always enjoyed it since 2019, my first time here, but of course now and after last year, winning both the race and, of course, the championship, then I can almost just come here a little bit more relaxed, to not feel like there’s pressure to have to win my first home Grand Prix, but there’s more want from inside to try and win it the second time.”
Norris “no idea” what McLaren’s expectations are for 2026 F1 British GP
When asked about McLaren’s expectations for the weekend, Norris admitted he is not heading into the weekend with high expectations and would rather see how it unfolds for the team.
“Honestly, I have no idea. I’d just rather wait and see how we’re going to do. I don’t think, actually, that Red Bull Ring was that much worse than Spain. I think you just had a few other cars in the mix. We were quicker than the Ferraris on Sunday, slower than the Red Bulls. So things change around us at the minute, but we’re just simply not where we want to be.”
While the Woking-based team are not as optimistic about their chances of a podium as they were last year, the Briton noted that the team is still aiming to maximise the weekend, with added personal motivation coming from racing at home.
Norris added: “So I think we’re probably not coming in quite as optimistic as we were this time last year, but we’re still optimistic that we want to aim for a podium and we still want to get two cars high up there and in the points. And of course, personally, that’s something I would like to achieve this weekend too.”
Norris on his chances of replicating 2025 British GP success
“I’ll just say yes, for the sake of it. I’ll say yes to give them [the fans] hope.”, Norris joked. “You don’t need to be a scientist to realise we’re not in the same position as we were last year. So to be confident in repeating such a thing, I think is very tough to do. But it’s always your home race where you want to do better than ever.”
Having achieved strong results at Silverstone in the past, the 26 year-old shared how his fans’ support fuels his motivation to deliver and perform at his best.
“And Silverstone has been actually a pretty good track for us over the last X-amount of years. So certainly I want to say yes, that they give me the energy. They certainly make it more exciting and they certainly make me want to put on the best show I possibly can for them.”
“So, for the sake of a headline you put, I’ll say yes.”, Norris said.
Life after becoming a F1 World Champion
The McLaren driver achieved a lifelong dream many can only aspire to: becoming a F1 World Champion. Speaking about how life has changed since being crowned in Abu Dhabi last year, Norris reflected saying: “Every year you spend in Formula 1, things get cooler and better and you have more fans and supporters. And that’s always something I’ve enjoyed, especially here.”
“I said it this morning to someone else, it’s really the place that makes you feel like you belong here. And you kind of feel that, I guess, in other places when you see your fans and support, but it’s hard to go out and see all of this and not feel like you want to be here forever in some ways. And that’s a very special feeling.”
“So since last year, maybe I have some more fans and more supporters and things like that. And apart from that, you get noticed in the streets more and things like that.”
Norris: “I’m very lucky that I have the life that I have already”
In continuation, noting a significant increase in interest in his personal life, the Briton said that no matter how many championships he goes on to win, he does not want to change who he is. Having maintained a balance between racing and spending time with his loved ones away from the track, Norris expressed gratitude for the life he continues to live.
“People seem to care more about your personal life than the actual work that you do, but that’s just the world that we live in. And I don’t want anything to change, honestly. Even if I win one or five or ten, I’m very happy.”
“I like to have my personal life and spend it with my friends and go golfing and travel and spend time with my family and my brother and my sisters, many different places. I like to enjoy my life outside of Formula 1, and I feel like I live a very incredible life.”
“And I’m very lucky that I have the life that I have already, honestly. Whether it’s one, three, five, whatever it’s going to be in the future, I’m happy as it is now.”
“I know what McLaren’s capable of” — Norris on the MCL40’s development
“Honestly, I’ve got no idea about the ATR stuff. So don’t even ask me about it.”, Norris said. “The car itself, I’m just optimistic. I’m optimistic because I know the team I have behind me. I know what McLaren’s capable of. I know what each individual within McLaren’s capable of. So, it’s not that I even need to know what’s on paper, what we might have in the future.”
“I know I have a team around me that can turn things around like we have done, and a team around me that can win World Championships. And that’s all I really need to know in the back of my head. So, I’m confident. I have still an incredible team.”
While the start of the 2026 F1 season has proved challenging for the reigning Constructors’ Champions, Norris said upcoming upgrades could help them return to their winning ways in the near future. Acknowledging that difficult phases are part of the process, he added that their goal is now to push through and maximise the MCL40’s existing package.
“But I also know that we have things in the future that will certainly help boost our confidence in terms of podiums and wins. I still certainly think that podiums and wins and more regular results like that will come back to us later on in this season.”
“It’s tough because you still have this period now of where you kind of just want to accelerate through this and get to some hopefully more optimistic places and chances. But it’s all part of a championship, so we still need to get the maximum amount out of every weekend.”
“We’re realistic about where we currently stand, but we’re optimistic about our future, and that’s something I’m certainly excited for.”, the reigning World Champion said.
Relationship with Piastri “just as good as it was last year”
In 2026, McLaren find themselves in a very different situation compared to last year. When asked about how the team dynamics have improved without both drivers fighting for the title, Norris questioned the perception around his relationship with Oscar Piastri, saying their dynamic has not changed, whether or not the championship fight is in play.
“No, I think me and Oscar are exactly the same as last year, so I don’t know what you see differently. So honestly, it’s just as good as it was last year. Of course, last year, you could probably see it a bit more focused in general from us as drivers because we were fighting more for poles and race wins and things like that.”
“But in terms of how we are off track, I honestly feel like we’re exactly the same. We still really enjoy marketing stuff together and said no one ever, and we still want to just power through that and enjoy everything that we do.”
He added: “So honestly, off track, the stuff you don’t see is obviously what I know, and it’s just as good as it was last year, which I think is a very strong place. It’s how the team wants us to be as teammates. I think the perspective of just focus and kind of being in the zone quite as deep as we were last year at this point is just a little bit different.”
“That changes maybe how you see things, but honestly, we are just as good and that’s how we need to be, especially now with being a little bit behind where we want to be as a team.”
Special MCL40 livery for 2026 F1 British GP
For the Silverstone weekend, McLaren are set to run a special one-off livery paying homage to the M2B, the team’s first-ever Formula 1 car.
“Actually, both me and Oscar are pretty fussy with visually what we see as drivers. So actually what we have around the cockpit quite often stays the same. So when you’re inside the car, we don’t actually notice too many changes from the outside. It’s special.”, Norris said when asked about the livery.
“We always obviously try and do special things, but it’s special because it’s Bruce’s first car. So it feels more like just an honour that we get to relive this and kind of bring it back to life, and also I think showcase it, because not many people know that the first car Bruce had was the white, green and grey.”
The Briton noted how the livery offers a modern twist and interpretation of McLaren’s early history, as they step away from the papaya colours for the weekend. He added that he enjoys being part of such initiatives and hopes it continues a positive trend, noting McLaren often performs well when running special liveries.
“Obviously, we try to put a bit more of a modern twist on it, but it’s not papaya. So, it’s cool that I’m one of the drivers that gets to kind of relive that and throw it back to the beginning of the McLaren story, which is something very special. And touch wood, generally we have good races when we have liveries on and things like that, and especially for me. So, it’s cool that we’re doing something different as well.”
Feeling “a little bit more of a complete driver” after 2025 says Norris
Compared to last year, Norris believes he has improved, noting that the 2026 cars demands a different driving style that requires constant adaptation. He added that he now sees himself as a more complete driver, capable of adjusting to different situations and car characteristics, before stating that he believes he can beat any driver on the grid.
“I certainly think I’ve improved compared to last year. It’s also just a very different car to drive, and how you have to drive it is quite different. So, you have to adapt to those situations. I also feel like I’m certainly a little bit more of a complete driver. I’m able to adapt more to different situations and driving styles and characteristics that the car needs to be driven in.”
“And I do believe I can… I think we have to just word it carefully, I do believe I can beat any driver.”, Norris said.
Norris on Verstappen: “What makes Max so incredible is how he is over the course of the season”
With rumours surrounding Max Verstappen’s potential future at McLaren, he acknowledged the four-time World Champion for his remarkable consistency across an entire season, highlighting his ability to deliver at an elite level every weekend in practice, qualifying, and races.
He added that while many drivers can produce standout laps, what separates the very best is sustained performance, and he views the opportunity to compete against Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso as a privilege while remaining excited for what the future holds.
He added: “I think what makes Max so incredible is how he is over the course of the season, every single weekend, performing to the level that he does, is what’s impressive.”
“I think a lot of drivers on the grid can go out and get a pole and can put in incredible laps. What makes people great and elite is performing at that level but in every practice, every qualifying, every race. And I think that’s something that Max is able to do probably better than almost everyone.”
“So, yeah, I believe whether it’s him or having a chance to go against Lewis or Fernando, any of the people, the drivers that people know are some of the best, I think it’s a cool opportunity for me. At the same time, I’m excited for whatever may come my way in the future.”
