Zak Brown backs Lando Norris on McLaren’s 2026 MCL40 ambitions

McLaren driver Lando Norris says the team’s MCL40 has the potential to be the fastest car on the 2026 grid, and team CEO Zak Brown didn’t waste a beat – he said he ‘absolutely’ agrees and is ‘very confident’ McLaren can get back to the top.

Why it matters:

• Unified confidence from driver and CEO shows McLaren believes its upgrades can finally match Mercedes, a key factor for a title‑contending season.
• The comment follows a strong Suzuka performance where McLaren forced a race‑changing safety‑car, proving speed under pressure.
• Clear belief can accelerate development and attract talent, both essential for closing the power‑unit gap.

The details:

• Norris told Channel 4 McLaren’s immediate aim is podiums, then race wins, letting points follow naturally.
• Brown highlighted the team’s climb from ninth in early 2025 to regularly among the top three this year, citing “second‑quickest one weekend, third‑quickest the next.”
• At the Japanese Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri surged from P3 to the lead before a safety‑car shuffled the order, allowing Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes to snatch the win.
• McLaren sits third in the 2026 constructors’ standings, 44 points behind Ferrari and 89 behind Mercedes, yet consistently posting third‑quickest laps.

What's next:

• Target qualifying speed that translates into race‑day podiums, especially on circuits that reward low‑downforce setups.
• Accelerate the rollout of aerodynamic and hybrid upgrades, aiming to be the outright fastest car by mid‑season.
• Use the momentum from Suzuka to pressure Mercedes and Ferrari, turning confidence into a realistic 2026 title challenge.

If the MCL40 can deliver the speed and reliability Norris promises, the 2026 championship could evolve from a Mercedes‑led duel into a true three‑horse race with McLaren back in the mix.