McLaren Finish Reflects Performance At Australian Grand Prix, Norris Says

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Reigning Formula One champion Lando Norris left the Australian Grand Prix accepting that McLaren’s result matched the team’s current level, after finishing fifth in Melbourne and collecting 10 points that keep the constructors’ champions behind both Mercedes and Ferrari in the early 2026 F1 standings.

Mercedes opened the new season strongly at the Australian Grand Prix, with George Russell winning and Kimi Antonelli following in second, while Charles Leclerc secured third for Ferrari, as Norris started sixth and finished fifth and Oscar Piastri failed to take the start after spinning on the formation lap.

Norris, who became the 11th British Formula One champion in 2025, could not join the podium fight at the Australian Grand Prix, and accepted that McLaren lacked the speed to contend, especially compared with Red Bull’s pace over the race distance in Melbourne.

Norris highlighted how Max Verstappen’s charge from the back underlined Red Bull’s strength during the Australian Grand Prix, as the Dutch driver climbed from 20th to finish directly behind Norris, prompting a blunt verdict from the McLaren driver on where the champions stand.

"We finished where we deserved to. I think it was quite clear that the Red Bull was quicker. Max came from last and almost beat us," Norris conceded.

Alongside performance reflections, Norris raised strong concerns about the new Formula One regulations used at the Australian Grand Prix, focusing on the fresh overtake mode that allows drivers to gain extra speed while rivals slow to regenerate battery energy during races.

"It is chaos, and we are going to have a big accident, which is a shame because we are driving and the ones just waiting for something to happen and to go quite horribly wrong and that is not a nice position to be in," Norris added.

"Depending on what drivers do, you can have closing speeds of 30, 40, 50kph, and when someone hits another driver at that speed, you are going to fly and go over the fence and do a lot of damage to yourself and maybe to others and that is a pretty horrible thing to think about."

Australian Grand Prix F1 reaction from Max Verstappen

Verstappen, who finished one place behind Norris at the Australian Grand Prix, again linked personal enjoyment of Formula One with the current regulations, stressing that long-term commitment to the series may depend on whether the new sporting direction delivers satisfying racing.

"I love racing but you can only take so much,he said after driving back from 20th to sixth. I think F1 and the FIA are willing to listen, but I hope there is some action. It is not that I am the only one saying it. We are not critical just to be critical. We are critical for a reason. We want it to be Formula One, proper Formula One on steroids, but today that wasn't the case. What they [F1]should worry about is the rules. Focus on that. They ask questions and I give my opinion on what I would like to see andthink is better for the sport because I do care about it, Ilove racing, and I want it to be better than this."

Australian Grand Prix F1 debut for Arvid Lindbald

While Norris and Verstappen focused on performance and regulations, the Australian Grand Prix marked a landmark Formula One debut for Arvid Lindbald of Racing Bulls, who finished eighth and became the youngest British driver ever to compete in an F1 race.

At 18 years and 213 days old, Lindbald joined that list behind Verstappen, Lance Stroll and Antonelli in the all-time Formula One age rankings, while also contributing important early-season points for Racing Bulls at the Australian Grand Prix.

"I've only done one weekend, I don't want to talk too much. Coming into this weekend, a lot of people said there was going to be a lot of pressure," Lindbald said. "In the end, I am here for myself. I worked my whole life to get to F1, I don't have to do it for anyone. I am here for myself. When I was five years old, I had a dream and my dream was to be in F1, and I am living my dream."

The Australian Grand Prix therefore opened the 2026 Formula One season with contrasting stories, from Mercedes leading the field and McLaren assessing pace, to Verstappen questioning regulations and Norris highlighting safety, while Lindbald’s points-scoring debut added a notable new British name to the grid.