Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris may have found an unexpected way to reignite his fading 2026 championship challenge after a difficult start to the new era of regulations.
The McLaren star claimed his maiden drivers’ title in 2025, defeating team-mate Oscar Piastri and four-time champion Max Verstappen in a thrilling battle for the crown. However, the dramatic rule changes introduced for the 2026 season have completely reshaped the competitive order in Formula 1.
So far, it has been Mercedes who have mastered the new regulations, with teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli emerging as the early championship leader. McLaren, meanwhile, have struggled to match their title-winning pace from last year and are still searching for their first grand prix victory of the season.
Norris currently sits fourth in the drivers’ standings after several disappointing weekends, with McLaren managing only three podium finishes and a sprint race triumph in the opening phase of the campaign. Despite the setbacks, there were encouraging signs at the Miami Grand Prix, where the Woking-based squad secured a one-two finish in the sprint race before taking second and third in the main event.
Now, Norris appears to be exploring a fresh approach to adapt to Formula 1’s increasingly energy-focused racing style.
The British driver was spotted attending the Monaco E-Prix earlier this month, closely following the action in Formula E — a championship built entirely around electric power and advanced energy management strategies.
During coverage of the event, former F1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok asked Norris whether he had been learning from Formula E drivers, whose races are heavily influenced by energy conservation and tactical planning.
Chandhok pointed out that modern Formula 1 is becoming increasingly dependent on energy deployment and long-term race strategy under the new regulations, suggesting that Formula E drivers have become masters of thinking several laps ahead while balancing performance and battery usage.
Norris’ interest in the all-electric series could prove significant as teams continue to adapt to the demands of the 2026 cars. With energy recovery systems playing a bigger role than ever before, understanding how to maximise efficiency without sacrificing speed may become one of the defining skills of this new Formula 1 era.
If Norris and McLaren can successfully apply those lessons, the defending champion may yet find a route back into the title battle before the season slips away completely.