Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has expressed confidence in McLaren's recent performance, stating that the team is becoming increasingly "hard to stop" as they gear up for the 2026 championship. With reigning champion Lando Norris leading the charge, McLaren is gaining momentum heading into the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.
Norris arrives at the Monza circuit after securing back-to-back victories at the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix. Despite trailing Mercedes' championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 83 points, McLaren's recent form suggests they are closing the gap and becoming a formidable contender in the championship race.
During an appearance on F1 TV's Weekend Warm-Up, Montoya commended McLaren for adopting a more aggressive approach in their racing strategies. He noted, "The combination we’re seeing is a McLaren that is growing, a McLaren that is starting to put everything together, a McLaren that is not afraid of taking risks with strategy." This shift in mentality marks a significant change from the previous year, when the team hesitated to take risks despite having a competitive car.
Montoya elaborated on how this newfound confidence is benefiting Norris, suggesting that the momentum he has built could be challenging for competitors to overcome. He stated, "When you start doing things like that, and it works, the confidence in the team and the people around you just grows, and it’s going to be hard to stop him." This sentiment reflects the positive atmosphere within the McLaren camp as they aim for success in the upcoming races.
In contrast, Montoya pointed out that Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri, has faced difficulties in matching his performance. While Montoya acknowledged Piastri's strong qualifying efforts, he noted that the Australian driver has struggled to find the same level of comfort and speed in the car. "He’s always there. On one lap he’s driving really comfortably, but for some reason when he now seems to be on a hotter tyre, the car seems to be tricky to drive," Montoya explained.
Montoya emphasized that while Piastri has not lost any speed, he has yet to find the ideal setup for his driving style. The difference in performance between the two drivers can be attributed to Norris's confidence in the MCL40, which allows him to push the car to its limits. Montoya concluded, "If you don’t know what the car is going to do, you’re never going to release the brakes as well. You’re never going to carry that speed. And that’s a big difference."
As the 2026 championship unfolds, all eyes will be on McLaren and Lando Norris as they continue to build on their recent successes and challenge for the title.
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