Lando Norris Discusses the Challenge of Mastering Formula 1’s 2026 Power Units

Drivers have been vocal about how the complex energy deployment needs of the 2026 generation of Formula 1 cars have impacted how they have to be driven, with the reliance on energy harvesting causing a big mental shift in how to approach faster corners.

Mercedes driver George Russell is one driver who has struggled to gel with his machinery this year, which has come more naturally to his championship‑leading team‑mate Kimi Antonelli.

Norris, whose McLaren team has only finished on the podium four times this year as it tries to reel in Mercedes, appeared to have little sympathy for Russell’s plight in what is still F1 fastest car in 2026.

“I mean, I’ve had to change my driving style every single year of my life,” Norris said in Hungary. “I guess for him it’s worked for 20 years, for me it’s not worked. My driving style worked back in 2018 when I did my test year. That’s probably about it. Ever since then I’ve had to change.”

“I think the more experience you have in Formula 1, the better equipped you should be. If you’re not ready to adapt to a different car, then you’re not at a good enough level. It’s our job, it’s what we’ve got paid millions to do. It’s to drive any car you get given, whether it’s a good one, a bad one, an easy one or a hard one. You have to do it.”

Norris particularly struggled over the first part of the 2025 season to wring the most out of his McLaren on the limit in qualifying, before finding technical and driving‑style solutions that helped him get back in the title race. That constant adaptation process hasn’t stopped yet with the 2026 car.

Mercedes’ George Russell is having to dig deep to get on top of the 2026 Mercedes and try to match Kimi Antonelli.

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Norris added that every race forces him to forget the previous weekend and learn how to drive a new car, emphasizing that drivers must constantly evolve their approach.

The controversial energy deployment rules are so complex that the power units rely on machine‑learning software to control them. This sensitivity can cost several tenths on the straight due to minor deviations in previous corners, a reality Norris shares with his teammate Oscar Piastri, who likened qualifying to computers behaving or misbehaving.

Although the unpredictable power‑unit behaviour has raised questions about driver influence, Norris disagrees with Max Verstappen’s claim that drivers can no longer make a difference, asserting that skilled drivers can still gain advantages on many corners.

He explains that while some high‑speed circuits have fewer opportunities to gain time, tracks like Silverstone and Spa present larger corners with reduced grip, offering an opportunity for superior drivers to shine.

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