Lando Norris heads into his home race at Silverstone convinced that McLaren can return to the front of the Formula 1 field. After a disappointing Austrian Grand Prix, the reigning world champion is determined to bounce back and believes the British Grand Prix could mark the beginning of a stronger second half of the season.
Lando Norris ready for a special home Grand Prix
Following a frustrating seventh-place finish in Austria, where he crossed the line behind Isack Hadjar, Lando Norris is eager to put that result behind him at Silverstone. The British circuit has always held a special place in his heart, but this year the occasion carries even greater significance, as it will be the first time he competes at his home Grand Prix as the reigning Formula 1 World Champion.
Silverstone will also be a home event for several other drivers on the grid, including Lewis Hamilton, Arvid Lindblad, Oliver Bearman and George Russell. Norris is hoping to make the most of the Sprint format, which has traditionally suited his driving style, as he looks to secure a strong result in front of his home crowd.
Speaking to the official Formula 1 media ahead of the weekend, the McLaren driver expressed confidence not only for Silverstone but also for the team’s future development programme and upcoming upgrades.
Lando Norris: From pressure to enjoying the moment
Lando Norris admitted that winning his first Formula 1 World Championship lifted a huge weight from his shoulders. Arriving at Silverstone wearing the number one on his McLaren, he believes that sense of freedom could help him perform at his very best.
“I’m coming to Silverstone much more relaxed. It’s an amazing feeling to race at home with the number one on my car. Silverstone has a special aura,” he said.
The British driver also shared his expectations for the weekend while reflecting on McLaren’s recent performances.
“It’s always a pleasure and always a joy to race in front of my family and my fans. I’ve always loved this place. I’d love to win here for a second time, but I don’t know exactly what to expect—we’ll find out once we’re on track.
“I don’t think Austria was necessarily worse than Spain because things change from race to race. We don’t have the same feeling we had last year, but I believe we can fight for a podium. The energy from the fans here is incredible, but we also have to recognise that we’re not in the same position we were in last season.”
Confidence in McLaren remains strong
The opening phase of the 2026 season has not produced the results Lando Norris had hoped for. Despite showing competitive pace on several occasions, the McLaren MCL40 has suffered from reliability problems throughout the campaign, from Australia to Austria.
When everything works as intended, the car has demonstrated that it is capable of fighting near the front, although Mercedes still appears to hold a performance advantage. Even so, Norris remains fully convinced that McLaren has what it takes to return to the top.
“I’m optimistic about the car. I know the team that’s behind me and I know exactly what McLaren is capable of. I don’t even need to look at the numbers because I know I’m surrounded by people who can turn this situation around and win world championships.”
The team’s first upgrade package delivered encouraging signs, although it was not enough in Austria, where McLaren lacked the pace to challenge for the podium while Max Verstappen produced another outstanding performance.
Speaking about the Dutch driver, Norris was full of praise while making it clear that his own self-belief remains intact.
“I genuinely believe I’m capable of beating every driver on the grid. But what Max manages to do over the course of an entire season is incredibly impressive.”
Lando Norris is determined to return to the top step of the podium, and memories of last year’s Silverstone victory remain fresh in his mind. McLaren may not arrive as the favourite this weekend, and rain is not currently expected, but the Sprint format could still create opportunities to shake up the order.
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