Lando Norris is facing a tough challenge at the Japanese Grand Prix after being outqualified by his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, at Suzuka. Norris qualified in fifth place, six tenths behind polesitter Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes and four tenths behind Piastri in third place. Throughout the weekend, Piastri has consistently been ahead of Norris, who encountered mechanical issues that limited his running during practice sessions.
The McLaren team had to replace Norris’ electric motor and he only completed 13 laps in the final practice session, affecting his preparation for qualifying. Despite the setbacks, Norris mentioned that he was trying different setups and learning more about the car. He acknowledged that he has been playing catch-up all weekend and hasn’t had the opportunity to do laps with high fuel or continuous runs, but he remains optimistic about his performance in the race.
This weekend’s race marks the debut of the 2026 Formula 1 season with new regulations that have made the cars lighter and more reliant on electrical energy. Because teams and drivers are still adapting to the new cars, limited running during practice sessions like Norris’ puts them at a disadvantage. Norris highlighted the challenges of driving on a new track with different tarmac conditions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the car and power unit adjustments.
As the teams and drivers continue to navigate the new regulations and track conditions, Norris remains focused on improving his performance and adapting to the challenges presented at the Japanese Grand Prix.
