The new 2026 Formula 1 cars continue to spark debate in the paddock. After qualifying for the Australian GP in his McLaren, Lando Norris expressed strong concerns about the behavior of the latest generation of F1 cars, particularly the heavy demands of energy management.
Norris laments new 2026 cars: “Worst cars I’ve ever driven”
The McLaren driver, who will start sixth on the grid at Albert Park, explained how the new cars force drivers to adopt a completely different style of driving. “I think everyone knows what the problems are. The issue is that with a 50/50 split between the combustion engine and the electric system, it just doesn’t work,” Norris said.
He described how this energy management makes driving less natural and far more complicated. “You brake a lot before the corners. You have to lift off everywhere to make sure the battery stays charged. If the level is too high, you’re still in trouble. It’s complicated, but it’s what we have to deal with.”
Norris was particularly harsh in his assessment. “We’ve gone from the best cars ever built in Formula 1, and the most fun to drive, to probably the worst. It sucks, but we have to live with it.”
Energy management complicates driving
The Briton also explained how the new energy rules force drivers to constantly monitor data on the steering wheel. “You have to look at the wheel every three seconds to understand what’s going to happen. You need to know your speed at the end of the straight and whether to brake 30 meters earlier or 10 meters later,” he said.
This distraction, according to Norris, contributed to an incident in qualifying. “I’m looking at the wheel. That’s why I didn’t see the debris. If you don’t constantly check the data, you risk going off track.” Indeed, Norris hit a piece of debris lost by Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes, which had been sent out with cooling devices still attached.
Differing opinions in the paddock
Norris’ criticism is not isolated. Max Verstappen also voiced concerns during Friday night’s drivers’ briefing, while young driver Isack Hadjar admitted he wasn’t convinced by the new engine philosophy. The main point of debate remains energy management, which several drivers believe risks taking away from pure performance.
George Russell, however, offered a different perspective. The Mercedes driver, who took pole position ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli, acknowledged that the new regulations bring some complexities but said the chassis behavior is a step forward. “The cars are more agile. They slide a bit more and it’s easier to lock the wheels or lose the rear. Compared to last year, they almost feel like go-karts,” he said.
Russell compared them with previous seasons. “Last year, they felt almost like a bouncing bus. From a chassis perspective, it’s a step forward compared to what we’ve had in recent years.” He also noted that energy management will take time to master. “Once you understand how it works, it becomes the new normal. Is it pure racing? Probably not, but you get used to it. And this is just the first race.”
The clash of opinions between Lando Norris and George Russell highlights a fundamental shift in Formula 1’s DNA as the 2026 season kicks off in Melbourne. While the “worst cars ever” label from Norris suggests a frustration with the cognitive load of hybrid management, the “kart-like” agility praised by Russell hints at a more lively driving experience once the technical hurdles are cleared. As the field adapts to these radical changes, the Australian Grand Prix will serve as the ultimate stress test for whether these regulations favor the pure racer or the master of the digital display.
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