Norris names Ferrari as having 'quite clearly the best car', downplaying Mercedes' engine advantage

McLaren's Lando Norris has pointed to Ferrari, not Mercedes, as currently having the best chassis on the Formula 1 grid, attributing their 'unbelievable' cornering speed as the key differentiator. His comments come after finishing 50 seconds behind race-winner George Russell in Australia, highlighting a perceived performance gap that extends beyond Mercedes' known power unit supremacy.

Why it matters:

In the early stages of the 2026 season, public driver assessments of rival cars provide rare, unfiltered insight into the competitive hierarchy. Norris's analysis separates chassis performance from engine power, suggesting the fight at the front may be more nuanced than raw lap times indicate and putting a spotlight on Ferrari's aerodynamic prowess.

The details:

• Norris's Assessment: The McLaren driver stated, "I think Ferrari, from what we see, quite clearly they have the best car. Their cornering speeds are unbelievable." He conceded that matching Ferrari's current level is "zero chance at the minute" for his team.
• The Engine Factor: The analysis explicitly acknowledges Mercedes' continued advantage in both outright power and battery energy deployment, a factor that currently overshadows pure chassis performance for teams like Ferrari.
• Russell's Perspective: Race winner George Russell offered a counterpoint, implying driver views are often shaped by self-interest and current competitive position. He noted that when McLaren had a superior car last year while using the same Mercedes power unit, the narrative was different.

What's next:

Norris's comments will intensify scrutiny on Ferrari's SF-26 chassis as the season develops, especially on high-downforce circuits where cornering prowess is paramount.

• The coming races will test whether Ferrari can leverage this perceived chassis advantage to consistently challenge Mercedes, whose power unit remains the benchmark.
• For McLaren and Norris, the statement underscores a clear development target as they work to close the gap to the top two teams.