Lando Norris Brands George Russell 'Sneaky' Ahead of 2026 F1 Season Opener
Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris has fired a cheeky dig at rival George Russell ahead of the 2026 season curtain-raiser in Melbourne this weekend. Norris, who clinched his first title last year, suggested that the Mercedes driver presents himself as the good guy but operates with calculated intelligence on the track.
Norris Questions Russell's On-Track Persona
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Norris revealed his thoughts on Russell's driving style, describing him as a "sneaky" competitor who knows exactly what he's doing. "George always knows what he's doing," Norris stated. "He tries to look the good guy, but he'll do what he needs to do, in a sneaky way at times. I think a lot of him. He is a very, very good driver. He'll play the game whenever he has to play the game."
Norris elaborated on Russell's strategic mindset, noting that he is "always switched on" and that his actions on the track are never clumsy but rather cleverly calculated. He also placed Russell among the sport's elite, alongside Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, highlighting his intelligence as a key strength.
McLaren's Position in the 2026 Pecking Order
Looking ahead to the new season, Norris assessed the competitive landscape, placing his McLaren team third in the pecking order. According to his analysis, Russell's Mercedes is currently the fastest car on the grid, followed by Ferrari, based on pre-season testing and recent regulation changes. Max Verstappen's Red Bull trails this trio, with the Dutch driver reportedly unhappy with his car's setup.
Norris remained optimistic about McLaren's chances, recalling their performance last year. "We didn't look the quickest last year in pre-season testing in Bahrain," he said. "And then we turned up to Australia and we were very good. Just wait and see. We are in the top four teams so we know we're in a good world. As long we're in a fight, then it's a long season."
Norris Reflects on Mental Resilience and Title Defence
The defending champion also opened up about his mental state heading into the 2026 campaign, reflecting on his journey to the top. He admitted to struggling with confidence at the start of last season, describing himself as "in the middle, to under that" on a confidence scale. His lowest point came before the Monaco Grand Prix in May 2025, following a run of inconsistent races.
To overcome this, Norris worked intensively behind the scenes on his mental state, particularly ahead of the mid-season race in Zandvoort. He also collaborated with McLaren on his driving and car setup. "Some of it was trying not to question myself going into qualifying," he explained. "My mind is always active. There were times I deleted Instagram, and I didn't want to see what people were saying about me."
Norris emphasized the importance of focusing on his performance without external distractions, a strategy that helped him secure the championship. As he prepares to defend his title, he remains confident in his abilities but acknowledges the challenge of maintaining top form against rivals like Russell.
The stage is set for an exciting showdown in Melbourne, with Norris and Russell's rivalry adding an extra layer of intrigue to the 2026 F1 season opener.
