Lando Norris flags 2026 F1 car issues after Monaco qualifying

McLaren driver Lando Norris described Monaco qualifying as a "reality check" for the team, saying the 2026 car remains difficult to drive and lacks front‑end confidence. He highlighted the added workload of constantly monitoring dashboards for battery, turbo and energy deployment, warning that such distractions could lead to crashes. Norris added that he is still "not a fan" of the new regulations, despite finding Monaco’s layout relatively pure compared with other circuits.

McLaren currently sit third in the Constructors' Championship with 106 points, 41 points behind Ferrari and 113 behind Mercedes. Norris qualified eighth, trailing teammate Oscar Piastri, and the team continues to grapple with reliability problems that have hampered performance earlier in the season. The driver’s comments underscore ongoing concerns about the competitiveness of the 2026 F1 package.