Lando Norris has delivered a sobering assessment of McLaren's early form, acknowledging that the reigning world champions trail both Ferrari and Red Bull in pre-season testing. The British driver, who topped the timesheets on Thursday with 149 laps completed, admitted his MCL40 car is currently not quick enough compared to their rivals. McLaren's 2025 car represents their first under new chassis and engine regulations.

Despite McLaren's championship-winning pedigree from 2024 and 2025, Norris highlighted Ferrari's strong performance during a full long run as evidence of their current advantage. He also praised Red Bull's new Ford-powered engine, which has impressed observers with its efficiency and deployment. The Milton Keynes team's decision to develop their own power unit appears to be paying early dividends.

Norris emphasized that testing provides only a snapshot and McLaren will continue working to close the gap. With four days of testing remaining before the season opener in Australia on March 6-8, the team faces significant development work. The driver's honest assessment underscores the competitive challenges McLaren faces in defending their titles against well-funded rivals who have made substantial technical advancements during the off-season.