The Formula One season may still be warming up, but Lando Norris has already made it clear that he’s entering this new chapter with a very different mindset.
Fresh from his breakthrough world championship win, the McLaren star says he now believes he has what it takes not just to win once, but to do it again — and again.
Appearing in public for the first time since the off-season break, Norris spoke with noticeable assurance about his future, hinting that the self-belief he once lacked has finally caught up with his talent.
Confidence Grows After a Breakthrough Title
Norris, who sealed his maiden world championship in Abu Dhabi last December, admitted that lifting the trophy changed something fundamental in him.
Winning, he said, has a way of unlocking confidence you can’t fake or force.
He explained that drivers build belief in different ways, and for him, it’s always been about proof rather than promises.
Standing on the top step of the podium last season gave him that proof — and with it, the conviction that he can now aim higher.
McLaren’s Delayed Testing Raises Eyebrows
While Norris is buzzing with confidence, McLaren’s pre-season plans have raised a few questions.
The team confirmed it will skip the first day — and possibly the first two days — of private pre-season testing in Barcelona, which begins on Monday.
That means Norris will have to wait a little longer before getting back behind the wheel, even as rival teams begin gathering valuable data.
Still, the testing format allows each team to run across three of the five scheduled days, giving McLaren room to catch up.
A Clean Slate Under New Regulations
This delay comes at a time when Formula One is entering a fresh technical era.
Sweeping regulation changes mean the car Norris drove to championship glory in 2025 is now history.
Team principal Andrea Stella played down any concerns, insisting the team’s development plan is right on track.
According to him, McLaren has taken an ambitious but calculated approach to interpreting the new rules, confident their reading of the regulations will pay off once the car hits the circuit.
A Special Night at the Autosport Awards
Norris’ return to the spotlight came at the Autosport Awards in London, where he was named Autosport Champion.
The award was presented by motorsport legend Sir Jackie Stewart at the Roundhouse in Camden, with Norris’ family — including his mother, Cisca — proudly by his side.
The moment marked a symbolic close to his championship year and the beginning of heightened expectations heading into the new season.
Belief Built on Experience, Not Hype
When asked about defending his title, Norris didn’t shy away from the challenge.
He said winning once naturally fuels the hunger to do it again, but stressed that his belief only truly arrived midway through last season.
At that point, everything clicked — the team around him, the car beneath him, and his own ability.
That alignment, he said, was when he first knew a championship was genuinely possible. Looking back, he feels that belief wasn’t misplaced.
Life Beyond the Track
Despite the magnitude of his achievement, Norris has resisted the urge to relive his Abu Dhabi triumph.
He revealed he hasn’t watched the race back, choosing instead to step away from the intensity of Formula One during the off-season.
For him, balance matters.
He loves racing, but he also values time away — traveling with friends, playing golf, and enjoying life beyond the paddock.
As he put it, there’s only one life to live, and he’s determined to experience as much of it as possible.
So, What Comes Next?
With renewed confidence, a reworked McLaren car, and another season on the horizon, Norris is stepping into 2026 not just as a champion, but as a driver who finally believes his best years may still be ahead of him.
The only question now is whether that belief will translate into another title run once the lights go out.
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