P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris claims new McLaren ‘feels like F2 car’
“F1 champion Lando Norris has compared the 2026 McLaren driving experience to that of a Formula 2 car during the Barcelona shakedown last week, completing 163 laps. Despite the significant mileage, Norris remains uncertain about his preference for the new car concept, drawing parallels to F2 machinery.
F2 serves as the final step on the feeder series ladder to F1, with Norris finishing as runner-up to George Russell in 2018. The 2026 F1 season kicks off on March 6 at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, with Bahrain hosting two preseason tests in February.
Norris expressed reservations about the new McLaren, stating, ‘It certainly feels more like an F2 car in some ways with how you have to drive it.’ He emphasized the need for further exploration at street, bumpy, and slower tracks to gauge the car’s performance characteristics and handling. The upcoming races will provide more insight into the capabilities of the 2026 F1 cars and their impact on competition.”
