Lando Norris has said he ‘would love’ to race against Lewis Hamilton more often in 2026. The two drivers didn’t have many opportunities to go head-to-head this year.
Norris sealed his maiden world title with third place in Abu Dhabi, becoming Britain’s 11th champion and McLaren’s first since Hamilton in 2008.
Hamilton, meanwhile, endured a tough first year at Ferrari. Despite winning the Sprint race in China, he failed to stand on a Grand Prix podium all season and finished sixth in the championship — 267 points behind Norris. The seven-time champion never openly targeted the 2025 title but unquestionably expected to fight at the front.
Lando Norris confident Lewis Hamilton can ‘bounce back’ despite Verstappen’s doubts
Asked on The F1 Show whether he saw himself battling fellow Britons Hamilton and George Russell in 2026, Norris offered a very different view from Max Verstappen. The Dutchman said Hamilton “definitely” won’t get faster at his age, arguing that Charles Leclerc is only improving — but Norris pushed back strongly.
“We’ve had a good amount of battles already,” Norris said. “I would love to race a bit more with Lewis. The team struggled a bit more this year than everyone was expecting. Lewis has proved himself to be probably the best of all time. If anyone can bounce back from difficult years, it’s Mr Hamilton.”
With radically new regulations arriving in 2026, Norris believes Hamilton could return to fighting shape. Many insiders think Mercedes may be the early favourites, which could position Russell as Norris’ biggest threat heading into his title defence.
Oliver Bearman calls racing for Ferrari his ‘life’s goal’ amid 2027 speculation
Attention is already turning to Ferrari’s long-term driver plans, especially with speculation that Hamilton’s third contract year may not be guaranteed. Haas rookie Oliver Bearman — a Ferrari Academy talent — is seen as the frontrunner to replace him should the seat open for 2027.
Bearman impressed in his first full season by scoring 41 points, outperforming teammate Esteban Ocon. He previously raced for Ferrari at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP when Carlos Sainz withdrew with appendicitis, a moment he says cemented his ambition to race in red.
“This is my dream… I want to race in red, I want to win in red: it’s my life’s goal,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. Bearman said his focus remains on delivering a strong 2026 season with Haas as the sport enters new regulations, adding that he feels “ready for whatever the future holds.”
Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle believes Ferrari are already “eyeing” Bearman as a future option — and with Hamilton yet to fully find his stride in Maranello, the question of 2027 could become one of the grid’s biggest storylines.
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