Lando Norris says driving round because the reigning Method 1 world champion was a “surreal” feeling as he took to the observe in Barcelona for a day of discovering his 2026 McLaren MCL40.
McLaren delayed its begin to pre-season testing till Wednesday, the third of 5 shakedown days on the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya. With groups in a position to decide and select a most of three days to run on the grand prix venue, it means the reigning world champion outfit continues to be on observe to get its full allowance of mileage in.
Norris did the honours for McLaren on Wednesday, becoming a member of the motion mid-morning and clocking 77 laps on the stone chilly Catalan circuit. The Briton went out in a MCL40 briefly clad in McLaren’s black and grey testing livery, buying and selling in his regular #4 to uphold the custom of the reigning world champion utilizing #1 the next 12 months.
“It was simply good to be again, good to see a primary on my automotive – fairly surreal nonetheless,” Norris stated. “I noticed it on the timing display screen; I nonetheless discover it simply unbelievable. It is nonetheless a loopy factor to see. Now it is actually the first time I get to see it on my swimsuit, on the automotive, on timing screens, all of these items, and it appears to be like good.
“It is the primary time that everybody will get to see the automotive in a single piece, it is actually not been constructed till this morning. It is an unimaginable factor, good to see all of it come collectively, good to see all of the onerous work that everybody does.”
Lando Norris, McLaren
Photograph by: Method 1
Norris stated his day was largely spent getting to know his MCL40, by regulation a radically totally different automotive than the predecessor he received the 2025 world title with.
“At present was actually only a first understanding of the entire automotive, understanding simply the way it works actually, going by means of the handbook of every thing,” he added. “So a productive day, but it surely’s one which’s actually about figuring stuff out, ensuring issues are working as they need to.”
When requested what he considered his new automotive, that includes decrease downforce, lively aerodynamics and a a lot greater emphasis on electrical vitality deployment, the Briton replied: “It is fairly totally different. It is a step slower when it comes to cornering speeds,” he reported. “When it comes to acceleration and straightline pace, it in all probability feels faster than it did final 12 months, you get to 340, 350 fairly a bit faster than we did in earlier years.
“However then you could have a bit extra to know from the battery, the ability unit, all of these issues are in some methods extra sophisticated and simply totally different. And each time one thing’s totally different, it all the time takes a little bit of time to determine one of the best ways to handle it.”
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
McLaren chief designer Rob Marshall stated the title-defending squad discovered no troubling surprises when it first ran its new challenger.
“The automotive ran fairly nicely at this time, we’re fairly proud of it, no nasties, no actually scary issues went unsuitable,” he stated. “There are clearly little gremlins right here and there however we ironed these out throughout the day.
“We actually deal with this week as a shakedown, so that is for us to get the automotive dependable, working, and ensure it will run in all of the circumstances we would like it to run in. We’re going all the way in which across the envelope making an attempt each single bit we will after which after we get to Bahrain we’ll attempt to dial the automotive in a bit higher. The circumstances listed here are so chilly that doing consultant lap instances is clearly going to be very tough.”
McLaren confirmed Oscar Piastri will take over the MCL40 on Thursday, with the pair probably splitting duties on Friday.
We would like your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Staff
Trending Merchandise
