Lando Norris Sounds Warning on Tight Qualifying Sessions in Formula 1 Under 2026 Regulations
McLaren’s Lando Norris has cautioned that Formula 1 is unlikely to witness qualifying sessions as closely contested as the Canadian Grand Prix once the all-new 2026 regulations come into play. Last week, the FIA published the guidelines for the next era of Formula 1 cars, designed to enhance the racing spectacle by moving back to lighter and smaller cars.
While the focus has been on the FIA’s ability to achieve its aspirations with the current regulations, Norris has raised a competitiveness concern. The Q3 stage in Montreal saw George Russell and Max Verstappen locked in a dead heat for pole position, with less than three-tenths separating the top seven. Norris believes that a regulatory change tends to spread out the field, nullifying the current convergence as the rules mature.
“I think you’re not going to have days like today again,” Norris warned. “You’re not going to have days like the last few weeks probably in ’26, ’27, ’28, or pretty much like ’28, ’29. So, it’s how it’s always been. Every time there’s a regulation change, there’s big gaps.”
Norris pointed out that even at the end of the last era, things were getting closer again, with Red Bull and Mercedes leading the pack, and the rest of the field catching up. “So just as we’re getting there, and I think probably looking ahead to next year already, next year should be an exciting year for everyone, just from first to last. I think it’s going to be exciting. But then that’s all going to go in ’26.”
The McLaren driver urged Formula 1 to consider whether it wants to maintain the current regulations for longer to encourage closer battles or prioritize rule changes to address car concerns. “There might be some benefits in the race for those [2026] regulations, there might be some things that are worse,” he said. “The type of racing you’re going to get is probably quite different. So, it’s complicated. It’s not a simple answer. I don’t know the answer, at the same time. I don’t think anyone knows exactly how it’s going to pan out.”
Norris emphasized that the current formula has led to exciting races with multiple winners and closer battles. “Always at the end of these regulation changes, we see days like today and we see closer battles – and now Mercedes up here as well. So that’s four teams who are fighting towards the top. [That] is eight cars, you’re going to see different winners. And I think that’s exciting for people watching.”
However, Norris is certain that this excitement will be short-lived under the 2026 regulations. “But definitely, you’re not going to have that in ’26. So, it depends if you want to keep this excitement and keep this challenge that we have now, or if you want to change everything again and have another few years where it’s far apart.”
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