Norris Doubts McLaren Upgrades Will Fix ‘Horrible’ Car Ahead of São Paulo GP

McLaren driver Lando Norris has questioned whether the team's planned upgrades for this weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix will make its difficult-to-handle car easier to drive, despite efforts to improve its competitiveness.

The reigning Formula One world champion said the MCL40 had shown considerable potential but remained inconsistent and demanding to control across different circuits.

Speaking ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Norris explained that McLaren needed to improve not only the car’s speed but also its handling characteristics to enable drivers to extract consistent performance.

He said the car had been difficult to drive throughout the season, adding that rival teams had made greater progress through their development programmes.

“The car has a good potential, but it is simply difficult too much to drive,” Norris said, stressing that making it faster would not be enough without improving its consistency.

McLaren has struggled to maintain its competitiveness in recent races after an encouraging mid-season spell that saw Norris secure victories at the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix.

The team has since fallen behind Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari in the competitive order, with its drivers finding it difficult to challenge consistently for podium finishes.

Asked whether the upcoming upgrades would make the car easier to handle, Norris admitted he was uncertain.

He said the developments could even make the car more difficult to drive, leaving the technical team responsible for determining how best to translate his feedback into improvements.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella had earlier indicated that the team was preparing updates for the São Paulo and Las Vegas races, expressing hope that the developments would restore its ability to compete for podiums.

The upgrades include revisions to the front wing, rear wing and floor components, with some of the aerodynamic concepts expected to influence the team's 2027 car design.

McLaren's Chief Technical Officer for Aerodynamics, Peter Prodromou, said the developments were intended to improve performance during the remaining races and provide a foundation for the following season.

The team also faces a battle with Red Bull for third position in the Constructors' Championship after losing ground in recent rounds.

Norris finished fifth at the Mexico City Grand Prix, while teammate Oscar Piastri lost his seventh-place finish following a post-race penalty.

The São Paulo Grand Prix, scheduled for November 6 to 8 at Interlagos, presents another opportunity for McLaren to assess its latest developments as the 2026 season approaches its conclusion.