Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri told the simple reason McLaren could be ‘a step ahead’ in 2026

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McLaren won their first drivers’ and constructors’ championship double in 27 years as Lando Norris lifted his first F1 title in 2025, and they might lead the way again in 2026.

The New Year marks the start of a new era for F1, with the championship introducing a huge overhaul of the engine, chassis, aerodynamics and tyre rules. F1’s 2026 regulations have the potential to reorder the grid, which is also now expanding to 11 teams with Cadillac’s debut.

McLaren were the best team in the field over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, after lifting back-to-back constructors’ titles, as the Woking natives returned to the top for the first time since 1998. Norris also won McLaren’s first F1 drivers’ championship since 2008 in the 2025 term.

Norris will hope he can defend his crown in 2026, and teammate Oscar Piastri will also hope that McLaren deliver with their car for the latest regulations. McLaren will remain an engine customer of Mercedes, who are expected to create the best 2026 power unit, through 2030.

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McLaren’s ‘good group of people’ will put them ‘a step ahead’ under F1’s 2026 regulations

Mercedes are widely expected to develop the best 2026 F1 rules engine, which could be key for the new era owing to the increase in electrical power from a 20/80 split with combustion up to 50/50. F1 is even introducing active aero for the first time to aid the new engine rules.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 engine and aero regulations

Mike Hezemans also feels McLaren will “especially” be a “step ahead” of their rivals like Red Bull and Ferrari in 2026, as the Woking natives showed in 2025 that they have built a strong team. So, Hezemans is already backing Norris or Piastri to win the first Grand Prix in 2026.

Hezemans told RacingNews365: “I think McLaren will win the Grand Prix in Australia. I think Mercedes can also reach the podium with Russell, or even with Antonelli.

“After that, I think Ferrari and Red Bull are a bit behind… I think Mercedes and McLaren are simply a step ahead of the rest.

“McLaren, especially, because they currently have such a good group of people who work so well together. They built such a good car that I think they can continue that into next year.”

The 2026 F1 regulations will test the strength of the team that McLaren have built

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The 2026 F1 season will begin at the Australian Grand Prix on March 8 in Melbourne, where Norris won the opening race of the 2025 campaign from pole position. Norris withstood the pressure that Piastri and later Red Bull’s Max Verstappen applied to win in tricky conditions.

McLaren entered 2025 as the clear favourites to win both titles, having shown during 2024 that they had developed a well-rounded car under the leadership of CEO Zak Brown, team principal Andrea Stella and chief designer Rob Marshall that secured the constructors’ title.

Also, McLaren took a big risk and changed their front suspension in 2025, which initially saw Norris struggle to generate a strong feeling from the MCL39 until they introduced an update at the Canadian Grand Prix. McLaren’s development path then delivered both titles in 2025.

McLaren also ceased developing their 2025 car in July to prioritise their design for the 2026 regulations, given the scale of the changes as F1 moves away from the ground-effect era. It is a major change that will test the strength of the team that Brown and Stella have created.