Norris Aims for More Battles with Hamilton in 2026 F1 Season

Lando Norris has expressed his eagerness to engage in more racing battles against Lewis Hamilton during the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season. This comes as the new world champion acknowledged Hamilton’s challenging year with Ferrari, where the seven-time champion finished eighth in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This race marked a difficult conclusion for Hamilton, who ended the year sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, a disappointing 86 points behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured fifth.

Hamilton’s struggles were significant, as it was the first time in his illustrious 19-season career that he failed to secure a podium finish. The Ferrari team itself faced a tough season, finishing fourth in the constructors’ standings and becoming the only top team not to win a Grand Prix in 2023. As F1 prepares for a significant rules overhaul next year, Norris is hopeful that Hamilton will return to competitive form.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, Norris reflected on the prospect of future races against Hamilton and other British drivers, including George Russell. He stated, “We’ve had a good amount of battles already. I would love to race a bit more with Lewis.” Norris recognized Hamilton’s exceptional talent, saying, “Lewis has proved himself to be probably the best of all time. Everyone knows if anyone can bounce back from difficult years, it’s Mr. Hamilton.”

The upcoming regulatory changes in Formula 1 will lead to new chassis, aerodynamics, and engines, creating uncertainty on the grid and potentially allowing for more competitive racing dynamics. Norris added, “Next year, everyone’s got an opportunity. Everyone’s looking forward to it. People want to come to take my crown, and I want to try to retain it.”

Following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he finished third, Norris completed his on-track responsibilities for the 2025 season. He will soon prepare for pre-season testing with the new 2026 challengers, which starts in just under seven weeks. Reflecting on his time off, he mentioned, “I will spend some time with my family, with my friends. Everyone in the team has earned themselves a good break.”

Norris emphasized the shorter off-season, noting, “Work starts even earlier next year than it normally does, by almost three weeks, so a much shorter holiday.” He plans to enjoy time away before diving back into training for the new season, which kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8, 2026.

As anticipation builds for the changes in the sport, fans and drivers alike look forward to the potential rivalries and exciting races that the new season promises. Norris’s desire to compete more directly with Hamilton adds a thrilling narrative to the future of Formula 1 racing.