Jenson Button Predicts Lando Norris to Be a Formidable Force in 2026 Following Recent World Championship Victory.

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button has articulated a strong conviction that Lando Norris will emerge as a "formidable force" in the 2026 season, capitalizing on the momentum of his maiden Formula 1 world title secured in the preceding 2025 season. Speaking on Sky Sports F1 during the pre-season testing in Bahrain, Button, who famously clinched his own championship under drastically revised regulations in 2009, drew parallels between his career-defining moment and Norris’s potential trajectory.

Button’s perspective is particularly pertinent given his personal experience navigating significant rule changes. The 2009 season saw a radical overhaul of aerodynamic regulations, leading to the rise of the Brawn GP team, which, against all odds, swept both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles. Button’s triumph with Brawn GP, a team formed from the ashes of Honda Racing F1 just weeks before the season began, underscored the transformative power of regulatory shifts in Formula 1. His ability to adapt and exploit the unique double-diffuser concept proved crucial, granting him a profound understanding of how such changes can reset the competitive landscape.

The 2026 regulation changes, as highlighted by Button, are poised to be equally, if not more, impactful. He described them as "the biggest one we’ve probably seen in modern F1," citing comprehensive overhauls across aerodynamics, power unit architecture, and chassis design. This multi-faceted transformation is expected to profoundly alter the fundamental characteristics of the cars, demanding fresh approaches from engineers, designers, and drivers alike. Such extensive changes often lead to a reshuffling of the grid, presenting both challenges and opportunities for established teams and emerging talents.

Button elaborated on the psychological aspect of competing post-championship, suggesting that the drive can sometimes wane if the subsequent seasons offer no fresh impetus. However, he believes the 2026 regulatory reset will serve as the perfect antidote for Norris, preventing any potential complacency. "It’s not hard [to go again] but you need a new challenge," the former Brawn GP driver explained. "And that’s what this regulation change brings. And you arrive confident. You know you can do it – you’ve done it."

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The context of Norris’s hypothetical 2025 championship provides a robust foundation for Button’s prediction. According to the reported statistics, Norris’s title-winning 2025 campaign was marked by a commanding performance: seven victories, seven pole positions, and an impressive tally of 423 points across the 24-race season. Such a dominant performance, especially under the immense pressure of securing a first world championship, would undoubtedly imbue the British driver with unparalleled confidence and self-belief heading into a new era of Formula 1.

"So, it’s more everything after winning a world championship is fun. It’s a bonus. And going into a season thinking that way, he’s going to be a formidable force. I really think so," Button affirmed. This perspective suggests that having achieved the ultimate goal, Norris would approach the new regulations with a liberated mindset, viewing the challenge as an exciting opportunity rather than a daunting hurdle. This psychological edge, combined with his proven talent and the clean slate offered by the regulations, could indeed make him a formidable contender from the outset.

Initial reactions from drivers during early 2026 pre-season testing in Bahrain offered a glimpse into the diverse responses to the new machinery. Four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, known for his direct assessments, reportedly expressed disappointment with the feel of the new regulation cars after his initial couple of days behind the wheel. This sentiment, while not uncommon during the nascent stages of new technical cycles, highlights the inherent difficulties in adapting to radically different vehicle dynamics.

In stark contrast, Lando Norris conveyed a far more positive initial impression of his Woking-based McLaren challenger. "A lot of fun. I really enjoyed it," he admitted, directly addressing the differing views. He then playfully remarked, "So, yeah, if [Verstappen] wants to retire, he can retire. Formula 1 changes all the time. Sometimes it’s a bit better to drive, sometimes it’s not as good to drive." This lighthearted yet confident retort underscores Norris’s enthusiasm for the new challenge and perhaps an early indication of his comfort level with McLaren’s interpretation of the new rules.

Norris further elaborated on the nascent stage of the new regulations, acknowledging that the cars are inherently different from their predecessors. "It certainly doesn’t feel as quick as the past few years, and it certainly doesn’t handle as perfectly and those things," Norris admitted. "Comparing to the older cars, it doesn’t feel as pretty and beautiful to drive, but it’s still pretty good. It’s still early days of a regulation that’s meant to be a good amount slower, but if we fast forward to the end of this year and ahead to next year, we’re going to be going a lot quicker by then."

This balanced assessment reflects a realistic understanding of the development curve in Formula 1. While new regulations often result in an initial dip in performance as teams grapple with optimization, the relentless pace of technological advancement and engineering innovation ensures rapid gains over subsequent months. Norris’s confidence in the car’s potential for improvement throughout the 2026 season and into 2027 suggests he is already looking beyond the immediate feel of the machinery towards its long-term capabilities.

McLaren, the team behind Norris, has demonstrated a significant upward trajectory in recent seasons. After a period of rebuilding, the iconic British outfit has steadily climbed the constructors’ standings, consistently improving their car’s performance and challenging at the sharp end of the grid. Norris’s hypothetical 2025 championship would represent the culmination of this resurgence, solidifying McLaren’s position as a top-tier team capable of fighting for overall honours. Their technical prowess and strategic acumen in adapting to new regulations will be crucial in providing Norris with a competitive package from the outset of 2026.

The 2026 regulations are designed with several key objectives, including improving racing spectacle through revised aerodynamic rules aimed at reducing turbulent air and enabling closer following, alongside a significant shift in power unit technology focusing on increased electrical power and sustainable fuels. These changes could fundamentally alter the pecking order, potentially allowing teams that master the new concepts to gain a significant advantage. For a driver like Norris, entering this new era as a reigning champion with a fresh perspective and a strong team behind him, the conditions appear ripe for sustained success.

Button’s analysis, rooted in his own championship experience and deep understanding of Formula 1’s intricate dynamics, positions Lando Norris as a prime candidate to not only defend a hypothetical title but also to establish a new era of dominance under the forthcoming regulations. The combination of a proven championship mentality, a significant regulatory reset, and early positive feedback from the driver himself sets the stage for what promises to be an intensely competitive and unpredictable 2026 Formula 1 season.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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