Lando Norris is also still not pleased with racing under the new 2026 regulations. The reigning world champion drove a fairly anonymous race at Suzuka, and finished fifth – three places behind teammate Oscar Piastri – across the finish line. However, Norris does not think the regulations will be adjusted soon to bring back the driving pleasure for himself and Max Verstappen, among others: ‘The only thing that matters is that the fans like it’.
Read more Hamilton frustrated by ‘terrible’ Japanese GP: ‘Struggled with a lack of power’
Two weeks after his retirement in China, Lando Norris was able to compete for World Championship points again at Suzuka. However, the driver – who finished fifth in Japan – did not enjoy it at all. The McLaren driver was not the only one, as Max Verstappen also explained how it is almost impossible to make a good overtake with the new cars and thus have fun racing. The Red Bull driver was in the ‘square’, the place where interviews take place, at the same time as the reigning world champion, and was able to shake hands with Norris.
NOW ONLINE: 40-page Race Special GP Japan: our online magazine with current events, reactions, analysis, and interview!
“He also had an empty battery,” Verstappen grinned at Norris. The McLaren driver then replied cynically to the Dutch driver: “The battery? Why would I ever talk about that. It doesn’t matter what we say. As long as the fans like it, that’s the only thing that matters. Fun for the drivers? No, apparently not.” The world champion then continued in a sarcastic tone to Viaplay: “This is the best racing I have ever seen.”
Read more Column Jeroen Bleekemolen: ‘Hope the break helps Verstappen and Red Bull, but I don’t think so’
Positive sides
Still, the McLaren driver was also able to say a few positive things about his team’s race in Japan. “It’s a positive day for us as a team, as McLaren. Oscar finished second, so congratulations to him. I managed to get Lewis, so we’re taking good points,” Norris summarized. “We took more points than Ferrari, so that’s quite surprising for us. It was a good day. A lot of good things, like the start and the first laps. There are some positive things and it was a good race for us. We didn’t expect to be this fast. There are also upgrades coming that should make us faster.” After the Japanese GP, McLaren is still in third place in the constructors’ championship, behind Mercedes and Ferrari.
NOW ONLINE: 40-page Race Special GP Japan: our online magazine with current events, reactions, analysis, and interview!
Read more PREMIUM: Race Special GP Japan
