Lando Norris has shared differing views to Max Verstappen over the 2026 F1 cars after day two of official F1 testing in Bahrain. The four-time world champion is unimpressed with the active aero era of the sport, stating that it is “more like Formula E on steriods.”
Lando Norris has a contrasting view to Verstappen after day 2 of offical F1 testing in Bahrain
The official F1 pre-season testing started this week at the Bahrain International Circuit. This was the first time that all 11 teams have been able to drive on track at the same time. After day 2 of testing, Verstappen shared his dissapointment with the new era of Formula One.
The 2026 F1 season has introduced an era of the sport unlike any other. These regulations introudce a new 50/50 split between petrol and electric. Meaning that the drivers need to adapt to a different way of managing the cars. Verstappen has complained that as a driver, their focus is now on managing the impact that their decisons have on the battery. Stating that, “As a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat out. At the moment you cannot drive like that.”
The reigning World Champion disagrees with Verstappens claims. Norris topped the time sheets during day one of testing and finished P2 after the second day of testing.
While Verstappen doesn’t like driving the car and suggests that it might affect his future in Formula One, Norris disagreed, stating that he “really enjoyed it.”
“So, yeah, if he wants to retire, he can retire. Formula 1 changes all the time. Sometimes it’s a bit better to drive, sometimes it’s not as good to drive.
“We get paid a stupid amount of money to drive. So you can’t really complain at the end of the day. Any driver can go and find something else to do. It’s not like he has to be here, or any driver has to be here.”
Norris on the new era of F1 providing a challenge for the drivers and engineers
The 2026 Formula One season has introduced a new set of regualtions that have proved a challenge to the drivers and engineers alike. The cars are lighter, shorter and narrower. The regualtions have also implemeted active aero, meaning that the cars can change the angle of both the front and rear wing.
At the F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, Norris shared his excitment for the challenge that this new era of the sport brings. The Briton acknowledges that driving the car does not feel as nice as the old cars but “It’s still pretty good.”
“It’s a challenge, but it’s a good, fun challenge for the engineers, for the drivers. You have to drive it in a different way. Understand and manage things differently. But I still get to drive cars and travel the world and have a lot of fun.
“So, nothing to complain about. It certainly doesn’t feel as quick as the past few years. And it certainly doesn’t handle as perfectly and those things.
“I’m sure if Max came in and this was the F1 car he started driving, then he probably would say it’s amazing. Comparing to the older cars, it doesn’t feel as pretty and beautiful to drive, but it’s still pretty good.”
Lando Norris explains that the cars will improve over time as teams continue to develop their 2026 challengers
Pre-season testing in Bahrain isn’t going to show the full abilty of the cars. Each team will bring upgrades throughout the 2026 season, shifting the performance of the cars significantly.
Norris suggests that by the end of 2026, each team will be a lot quicker than they are during this pre-season test in Bahrain.
“It’s still early days of a regulation that’s meant to be a good amount slower. But if we fast forward to the end of this year and ahead to next year, we’re going to be going a lot quicker by then.
“Everyone can have their own opinions and say and decide what they want to do. No one should complain about that or be upset about it. Every driver has their own opinions. He didn’t like it, and I like it.”
