Reigning Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 World Champion Lando NorrisPlayer·Lando Norris faces a challenging start to the 2026 season, finding himself significantly behind the championship leader. Following his retirement at the Monaco Grand PrixCompetition·Monaco Grand Prix, Norris expressed a determination to emulate Max VerstappenPlayer·Max Verstappen's remarkable comeback attempt from the previous year.
In 2025, Verstappen, a four-time World Champion, overcame a 104-point deficit to Oscar PiastriPlayer·Oscar Piastri after the ZandvoortVenue·Zandvoort race, ultimately losing the title to Norris by a mere two points in Abu DhabiVenue·Abu Dhabi. Norris's recent outing in Monaco, the fifth round of the current season, saw him retire on the 45th lap. He had struggled to overtake Pierre GaslyPlayer·Pierre Gasly and reported persistent power unit issues from the start of the race.
"In the race, I heard strange sounds from the engine, from the turbo, from the battery; many things did not sound good,"— Lando Norris. "We tried to fix them, the situation worsened, we reverted to the previous state, and in the end, we retired."
After the Monaco Grand PrixCompetition·Monaco Grand Prix, Norris is 98 points adrift of current championship leader Andrea Kimi AntonelliPlayer·Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who holds 156 points. Norris is currently sixth in the standings with 58 points, while Verstappen is seventh with 43 points.
Despite the substantial gap, Norris remains resolute. "I have to do it. Max did it last year, being at a huge difference, so I cannot give up the fight, especially so early in the season," — Lando NorrisPlayer·Lando Norris. He acknowledged the performance disparity, noting the team's strong showing in Miami where they contended for victory, contrasted with their struggles in Monaco.
"It's incredible that from a real rival of Mercedes, we ended up so far behind. Our car works well in certain conditions and does not work at all in others. We need to understand how to develop it and make it more successful on more tracks." McLaren, the 2025 Constructors' Champions, now faces the task of developing a more consistent car to support Norris's title aspirations. Verstappen has also expressed his dissatisfaction with the new 2026 regulations, though he has confirmed his commitment to remain in Formula 1 beyond this season, preferring to stay with Red Bull long-term.
Lando Norris and other F1 drivers at the start of the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix. Credit: DeFodi Images/IMAGO
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