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Lando Norris embraces surreal F1 champion moment as pressure mounts with McLaren debut

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
January 28, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Lando Norris embraces surreal F1 champion moment as pressure mounts with McLaren debut

Lando Norris is back, and you better believe the pressure is on! The McLaren star has returned to Formula 1 sporting the prestigious No. 1 on his car, a sight that still feels “surreal” for the newly crowned champion. Just seven weeks after snatching his first title by a razor-thin margin of two points over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Norris rolled out of the McLaren garage at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya with a palpable sense of pride and disbelief.

The excitement was almost palpable as Norris took to the track, showcasing the highly coveted number that symbolizes his championship status. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for McLaren; delays in the assembly of the MCL40 pushed the debut to the brink, with the car only completed just hours before its first appearance on the track. This drama only adds to the “crazy” narrative of his return.

Despite the setbacks, Norris managed to clock an impressive 76 laps, with his fastest time being a respectable 1:18.307s on fresh soft tires. He finished just shy of a second behind the week’s leading time set by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, although Norris was quick to remind everyone that these early times mean little in the grand scheme of the season. “It was nice to be back,” he beamed. “Nice to see a number one on my car. Pretty cool, pretty surreal still, so good feelings.”

In a moment of humility, he reflected on the honor of carrying the No. 1. “I saw it earlier on the timing screen, and I still find it just unbelievable. It’s still a crazy thing to see,” he admitted. “Now is the first time I get to see it on my suit, on the car, on timing screens, all of these things, and it looks good.” The weight of being a champion is heavy, but Norris is ready to bear it. “Now, pressure is on, but at the same time, it’s just cool. It’s great for the mechanics, for all of them to have that feeling and that honor, but it doesn’t change anything.”

The road ahead is still paved with challenges. “Otherwise, it’s still a lot of hard work that we have to put into everything,” he stated, emphasizing that the journey is far from over. The mechanics and engineers are just beginning to understand the intricacies of the new regulations, and Norris is committed to grinding through the laps necessary for success.

With the opening day of testing behind him, Norris expressed satisfaction with the day’s achievements. “Our first day on track, first time that everyone gets to see the car in one piece, it’s literally not been built until this morning,” he exclaimed. The thrill of seeing all the hard work come together was evident. “Today was really a first understanding of the whole car, understanding how it works, going through the manual of everything. It was a productive day.”

As the team gears up for the season, the stakes are undeniably high. With the championship title now a part of his identity, Norris is not just racing; he’s leading. The world will be watching as he navigates the pressures and expectations that come with being a champion in the high-octane world of Formula 1. Buckle up; this season is going to be one for the history books!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipandrea-kimi-antonelli-3getspeed-mercedesLando Norrismax-verstappen-en
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