Lando Norris led McLaren to their first championship double in 27 years, and they may be set for another strong run under the new 2026 rules.
The start of the year brings a major shift in F1, with sweeping changes to engine, chassis, aerodynamics and tyre regulations. The 2026 rules could shake up the grid order completely, especially with Cadillac joining as the 11th team.
McLaren have been on top for two straight seasons, having won back-to-back constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025. It marked their first time at the top since 1998. Norris also gave McLaren their first drivers’ title since 2008 when he took the crown last year.
Norris will be looking to defend his title this season, while teammate Oscar Piastri will hope McLaren can deliver a car that suits the new regulations. The team will continue using Mercedes engines through to 2030, which are expected to set the standard under the new rules.
McLaren’s cohesion expected to give them edge in 2026 F1 changes
The new engine regulations are shaping up to play a big role, with the power units shifting from a 20/80 split in favour of combustion to an even 50/50 balance. Mercedes are tipped to get the most out of this change, especially with active aero coming into play for the first time.
Mike Hezemans also feels McLaren will “especially” be a “step ahead” of their rivals like Red Bull and Ferrari in 2026, as the Woking natives showed in 2025 that they have built a strong team. So, Hezemans is already backing Norris or Piastri to win the first Grand Prix in 2026.
Hezemans told RacingNews365: “I think McLaren will win the Grand Prix in Australia. I think Mercedes can also reach the podium with Russell, or even with Antonelli.
“After that, I think Ferrari and Red Bull are a bit behind… I think Mercedes and McLaren are simply a step ahead of the rest.
“McLaren, especially, because they currently have such a good group of people who work so well together. They built such a good car that I think they can continue that into next year.”
How the new F1 rules could put McLaren’s team structure to the test
When Norris took pole and won the opening race of the 2025 season in Melbourne, it set the tone for a year where he held off challenges from both teammate Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, handling tough conditions along the way.
Heading into 2025, McLaren were favourites to win both championships after showing in 2024 that their car was strong across different circuits. CEO Zak Brown, team principal Andrea Stella, and chief designer Rob Marshall helped build a foundation that led to back-to-back constructors’ titles.
McLaren also made a significant change by altering their front suspension for 2025. Norris initially had issues adapting to the MCL39 until an update arrived at the Canadian Grand Prix. After that point, McLaren’s development path led them to both titles that season.
In July of that year, they also stopped developing their current car so they could focus on building for 2026 — which was a major shift away from ground-effect designs. It’s a move that will test just how well-built this team is under Brown and Stella.
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