Norris is back, the champion is back: “More predictable car, this helps us push”

Again in front of everyone, it took Lando Norris a while, but he finally satisfied himself with winning his first race as world champion. For now it was ‘only’ a Sprint, but looking at the performances displayed by the MCL40 between Friday and Saturday the impression is that the Englishman is the main favorite also for today’s qualifying and for success in tomorrow’s ‘real’ race. In Miami the Briton dominated the 100 km mini-race, starting from pole and never leaving the top of the group. At the finish line the #1 preceded his teammate by almost four seconds, scoring a papaya one-two that seems like a flashback to 2025. “From the 50 second delay in Melbourne to this? In a certain sense it’s just that the car works better – observed Norris to Sky Sports F1 – but there are definitely specific things and characteristics, for example in the rear of the car. You simply feel more comfortable pushing the accelerator a little more aggressively. [La macchina] it’s also more predictable. So, as a rider, when you try something you can find the sweet spot better than before. When you push and make a big mistake you are then a little afraid of getting close to that limit again. Now, however, it seems to be a little easier and perhaps the temperatures also play a role in this.” The heat of these days in fact seems to have helped the papaya team: “The car is right on the limit of slipping rather than being very nervous and unpredictable and these are conditions in which I usually perform well. But above all the car now has a good rear. This gives us confidence as drivers, so you can just press the accelerator, give a little gas, and that’s always a good thing.”

Automobile Magazine – F1 English News
2026-05-03 05:15:00