Lando Norris has highlighted adaptability as the crucial skill for drivers in the 2026 Formula 1® season, where the new generation of cars demands significant changes in driving style. With complex energy deployment systems governed by machine learning, drivers face a fresh set of challenges that require constant adjustment to remain competitive.
The 2026 Formula 1® cars have introduced intricate energy harvesting and deployment rules that affect how drivers approach corners and manage power delivery. Norris pointed out that while some drivers, like Mercedes’ George Russell, have struggled to adapt to their new cars, others such as Kimi Antonelli have found the transition smoother. Norris himself experienced difficulties early in 2025 but managed to find technical and driving solutions to improve his performance.
According to Norris, adapting driving style is an ongoing necessity in Formula 1®, and drivers are paid millions precisely because they must be ready to change. He disagrees with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen’s view that drivers have limited influence over performance in the new era. Norris believes that despite reduced downforce and more complex power unit behavior, skilled drivers can still gain advantages, especially in medium-speed corners where the cars are more challenging to handle. Tracks like Hungary present bigger cornering challenges due to higher speeds and less grip compared to previous seasons.
The reliance on machine learning software to manage energy deployment means that power unit behavior can be sensitive and sometimes unpredictable, impacting qualifying performance and race pace. Norris emphasized that drivers must be mentally prepared to adapt their approach continuously, as the characteristics of the 2026 cars differ significantly from previous generations.
While some corners have become less influential due to energy harvesting demands, many still offer opportunities for driver skill to affect lap times. Norris’s observations underline the evolving nature of Formula 1® driving, where technical complexity and reduced aerodynamic grip require a flexible mindset. The contrast between Norris’s adaptability and Russell’s struggles highlights how individual driver responses to the new regulations can shape their competitiveness.
Overall, Norris’s perspective sheds light on the ongoing challenge for drivers to adjust to the 2026 Formula 1® cars. His comments reflect the broader reality in the paddock that success increasingly depends on how well drivers can modify their style to suit the latest technical demands.