Lando Norris has endured a difficult run of three consecutive Formula 1 weekends in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore, with costly mistakes and McLaren’s declining competitiveness disrupting what had previously been an encouraging 2026 campaign. After winning the Drivers’ World Championship in 2025, the British driver appeared to have taken another step forward in maturity and consistency, but his recent performances have raised questions about how effectively he can respond to setbacks.
The downturn has coincided with the introduction of significant upgrades to the McLaren MCL40 at Baku, which have not fully satisfied the reigning world champion. With the team struggling to match Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, the final races of 2026 now represent an opportunity for Lando Norris to recover his form, learn from his recent mistakes and establish a stronger foundation for the 2027 season.
Lando Norris struggles after McLaren’s Baku upgrades
The 2026 Formula 1 season was expected to confirm Lando Norris’s status among the sport’s leading drivers. Having secured his first world title the previous year, the Bristol-born driver demonstrated greater mental strength and maturity, producing several impressive performances even when the McLaren was not the most competitive car on the grid.
His completed races up to Miami had been almost consistently excellent, while his campaign also included victories in Hungary and the Netherlands. Those results demonstrated that Lando Norris remained capable of delivering strong performances despite the changing competitive order.
However, the picture began to change at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. McLaren introduced an important aerodynamic upgrade package for the MCL40 in Baku, but the changes did not entirely suit Lando Norris.
Across the subsequent weekends in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore, the British driver appeared far less convincing than earlier in the championship. His performances lacked the same sharpness, racecraft and outright speed, while misfortune also contributed to an increasingly frustrating sequence of results.
The contrast was particularly striking because the Madrid Grand Prix had provided another reminder of his capabilities. Lando Norris delivered an exemplary performance and came close to victory, making the subsequent decline all the more unexpected.
Three difficult races for Lando Norris in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marked the beginning of Lando Norris’s difficult three-race sequence. Although McLaren had brought substantial upgrades to Baku, the reigning champion did not feel entirely comfortable with the revised package.
After making an unforced error at Turn 1, Lando Norris later became involved in contact with the two Alpine cars, bringing his race to a premature end. The collision itself was not his fault, but his performance before the incident had already been disappointing.
He had been running towards the back of the field, with race pace considerably weaker than that of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Frustrated by the incident involving Franco Colapinto, Lando Norris approached the Malaysian Grand Prix determined to respond with a much stronger performance just one week later.
However, Sepang brought another disappointing weekend. The mistakes continued, including an incident in which Lando Norris ran wide while distracted during a Safety Car period.
McLaren’s overall competitiveness was also a major concern. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull all appeared significantly stronger than the MCL40, leaving the British team struggling to compete with its main rivals.
The difficulties highlighted a broader problem for McLaren. Lando Norris was no longer extracting the same results from his car, while the team’s technical package appeared less competitive against the leading opposition.
Singapore Sprint clash with Oscar Piastri adds to Norris’s frustrations
The third consecutive disappointing weekend came at the Singapore Grand Prix, a circuit where Lando Norris had previously delivered memorable performances.
In 2023, the British driver played an important supporting role in Carlos Sainz’s victory, while the 2024 edition saw him dominate the race from start to finish. Those previous performances made his difficulties in 2026 particularly noticeable.
This time, McLaren lacked the outright speed required to challenge consistently for the leading positions. The situation became even more frustrating during a chaotic Sprint race.
On the final lap, Lando Norris attempted to overtake Oscar Piastri while the two McLaren drivers were fighting over fifth position. The move ended in contact between the team-mates, adding another costly incident to an already disappointing sequence of races.
The attempted overtake was the final mistake in a run of three significant errors across three consecutive weeks. Coming after his difficulties in Azerbaijan and Malaysia, the incident further underlined how much his recent performances differed from the composed driving that had characterised the earlier part of his season.
His performance in Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix was not entirely disappointing, but it was certainly below the level expected from a reigning world champion.
McLaren’s problems were also evident in the wider competitive picture at Marina Bay, where Ferrari’s Singapore Grand Prix performance offered another indication of how the balance between the leading teams had shifted.
Why Lando Norris can still take positives from his 2026 F1 season
It is disappointing that a season which began so positively has taken such a negative turn. Nevertheless, Lando Norris’s 2026 campaign should not be judged solely on his three most recent weekends.
Despite the setbacks in Baku, Sepang and Singapore, the reigning world champion has still produced a largely positive season. His strongest performances have often come when McLaren was far from being the fastest car, demonstrating his ability to maximise opportunities under difficult circumstances.
Winning the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship removed an enormous psychological burden from his shoulders, and his early performances in 2026 appeared to confirm the progress he had made.
His advantage over Oscar Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship provides another indication of that consistency. Following the Singapore Grand Prix, Lando Norris held a 62-point lead over his McLaren team-mate.
That gap remains significant despite the recent downturn and shows that the British driver’s campaign has included far more positive moments than his latest results might suggest.
Lando Norris and McLaren turn their attention towards F1 2027
With the 2026 championship approaching its conclusion, attention is increasingly turning towards the following season. For Lando Norris, the main objective is no longer to prove that he has the qualities required to become a Formula 1 world champion. He achieved that milestone in 2025.
The desire to finish the current campaign strongly remains important, but preparing effectively for the next championship is becoming a central priority.
The Constructors’ Championship is naturally significant for McLaren, yet the prospect of returning to winning form in 2027 gives the team and its reigning world champion an additional reason to focus on long-term improvement.
Lando Norris has repeatedly expressed confidence in McLaren, and that trust remains important after a season in which the team has struggled to maintain the competitive level required to fight consistently at the front.
Although McLaren has not enjoyed the success it hoped for in 2026, the following campaign could present a different opportunity.
The key for Lando Norris will be to put the disappointing results in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore behind him without ignoring the lessons they offer. Understanding the mistakes, regaining confidence and approaching the next challenge with a positive mentality will be essential.
His achievements over the previous two seasons have already demonstrated his potential. If Lando Norris can combine the maturity that helped him secure the 2025 world title with the lessons from his recent setbacks, returning to winning ways remains a realistic objective.
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