Norris confesses: “I would have liked an extra month’s rest”

A new beginning (from number 1) In Barcelona, ​​during the shakedown tests that formally opened the 2026 Formula 1 season and the new era of this sport after the latest regulatory revolution, Lando Norris was finally able to show off his #1 achieved at the end of an incredible year that saw him prevail in a very balanced three-way duel against Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri only in the last race of the year. However, just over a month after the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi, Norris is back in the car to make his debut at the wheel of the MCL40, the car with which this season he will try to become the first McLaren driver since Mika Hakkinen in 1999 to successfully defend the World title. Interviewed during the working days in Barcelona, ​​the Englishman honestly confessed that he would have gladly enjoyed a few more weeks of relaxation. Short holidays “I’m enthusiastic about everything – commented the driver of the papaya team – of course, I would like to have another month to relax and enjoy everything, savor every moment. It was a few weeks of break. It didn’t even feel like a month. They were a few weeks in which I tried to realize what had happened last year. My dream had become reality. Even now I’m trying to accept it and realize that it really happened”. However, this desire to savor more of the success just achieved must not make us think of a less ‘hungry’ Norris in view of 2026: “Now it’s time to get back to work and we have to try to do it all over again – the reigning world champion added – so this makes me happy, it gives me great confidence to face this season. But everything is so different: it’s a very big challenge with all the new rules, all the changes this year. But I feel good. I’m happy to have achieved something huge in my life.”