Lando Norris expressed his belief that Ferrari would significantly outperform the rest of the Formula 1 grid if they had a superior engine. Following the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton ended Mercedes' unbeaten streak in 2026 with a commanding victory, Norris secured a third-place finish, just four seconds behind George Russell.

Hamilton's win came with a near 20-second advantage, aided by a timely Virtual Safety Car. Despite this, Norris acknowledged that Hamilton likely would have overtaken him and Russell even without the safety period, especially after Kimi Antonelli retired late in the race.

Norris highlighted Ferrari's strengths, stating:

• They excel in cornering performance.
• Their main weakness lies in the straights, attributed to an inferior power unit compared to Mercedes and Red Bull.

He noted the potential impact of upcoming engine upgrades, saying, "We are lucky that Ferrari don't have a better engine at the minute. If they had a better engine, they would be dominating."

Norris' podium finish marked only his second of the season, following two retirements in Montreal and Monaco. He emphasized the need for McLaren to enhance their car's driveability to stay competitive. Despite feeling he drove a strong race, he acknowledged the performance gap, stating, "We know the car isn't quick enough."

Andrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, reiterated the need for aerodynamic improvements and better tire management, laying out a clear agenda for the team's development moving forward. With McLaren trailing Mercedes by 121 points, the pressure mounts as they aim to regain their competitive edge in the upcoming races.