Norris Near Pole But Penalty Looms | F1 News

Lando Norris blitzed practice at Spa in second, but McLaren’s technical director warns it’s too early to celebrate—optimization is still underway, especially with new 2026 engine rules adding complexity. Balancing straight-line speed and cornering grip is tough, and energy management is tighter than ever, with fewer battery recharge chances. Norris admits they’re missing deployment on nearly every straight, while Mercedes-powered rivals like Kimi Antonelli show smarter energy strategy. A grid penalty for new power unit parts could hurt his start, even if the car’s pace is there. Overnight, the team dove deep into data and simulations, chasing that elusive peak performance they know is possible. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/6acde6258f1a525a