Lando Norris Cautiously Optimistic About McLaren's Hungary Upgrades

Lando Norris is keeping a lid on his excitement about McLaren's latest upgrade package ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. As the reigning World Champion, Norris is no stranger to ups and downs this season, grappling with reliability issues that culminated in a 10-place grid penalty at Spa-Francorchamps for changing power unit components. Despite this setback, he managed an impressive third in qualifying and finished seventh, showcasing his potential to reach the podium if not for the penalty.

McLaren, optimistic about their upgrades, aims to perform well at the Hungaroring, a circuit where they've enjoyed past success with consecutive 1-2 finishes. However, repeating such a feat in 2026 seems ambitious, though their revised floor and aerodynamic tweaks are expected to suit the high-downforce demands of the track.

Norris commented on the upgrade package, noting it as "probably the biggest of the year by quite a long way," but he remained cautious, stating, "I’m just being patient before I get too excited over anything." He hopes the updates will provide more grip and speed, while addressing some persistent issues.

Reflecting on the season, Norris remarked, "I’m confident we can still be quick. Spa was probably one of the first alongside Miami where I think we generally seemed pretty decent." However, he acknowledged qualifying remains a challenge, admitting they are "still just Qualifying – there’s no chance we’re getting close to going four-tenths quicker."

Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri, Norris's teammate, is eager to break his podium drought since Miami. Despite some hiccups, like incidents in Canada and Great Britain, Piastri has consistently finished in the top five. Looking forward to Hungary, he said, "I think we should be a bit more competitive... hopefully that puts us a bit closer to being able to fight."

Piastri expressed confidence in McLaren's track record with upgrades, hoping for a significant performance boost. "Fingers crossed it just makes us quicker," he added, underscoring the team's anticipation for a stronger showing at the Hungaroring.

As McLaren prepares for Hungary, both drivers are cautiously optimistic. While the upgrades promise potential, Norris and Piastri are wisely tempering their expectations, aiming to translate their car's improvements into tangible results on the track.