Reigning world champion Lando Norris delivered a pointed response to George Russell during the recent 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, challenging his fellow Briton’s complaints about the driving style demanded by the latest generation of Formula 1 cars.
George Russell was among several drivers to argue that the 2026 machinery has required them to rethink their entire approach behind the wheel. His concerns followed previous comments in which he used an unusual Mona Lisa comparison to describe Mercedes’ driving style difficulties. Lando Norris, however, believes continually adjusting to different cars is simply part of being a Formula 1 driver.
Lando Norris responds to George Russell over 2026 F1 driving style
Asked to comment on George Russell’s complaints, Lando Norris did not hold back: “I’ve had to change my driving style every single year of my life. I imagine it worked for him for 20 years, but it didn’t for me. My driving style worked in 2018, and then that was it. I’ve always had to change since then.”
The McLaren driver’s response reflected a wider debate over the demands of Formula 1’s new generation of cars, with drivers having to adjust their techniques to suit machinery that can be either difficult or unintuitive to drive.
Why Lando Norris believes adaptation is part of an F1 driver’s job
Lando Norris then expanded on his argument, insisting that experience should leave drivers better prepared to handle major changes in car characteristics.
“The more experience you have in F1, the more prepared you are,” Lando Norris explained. “If you’re not ready to adapt to a different car, then you’re not at the right level. It’s our job; we’re paid millions to do this. We have to drive whatever car we’re given, good or bad, easy or difficult. You have to be able to do it.”
The comments underlined how driver adaptability has become an important factor under the 2026 regulations. They also amounted to a distinctly sharp observation from Lando Norris directed at George Russell.
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