Lando Norris of McLaren starts the race at the Australian Grand Prix on March 24, 2024. According to Norris, Formula 1 will not see a significant change in the team hierarchy until the introduction of new technical regulations in 2026. The current season has continued the trend from the previous campaign, with Red Bull maintaining an advantage over other teams. Despite winning the first two races, Max Verstappen faced a braking issue and retired early in the Australian Grand Prix. Norris believes that the grid will only experience a major shake-up when the 2026 regulations come into effect, which will bring changes to both the engine and chassis regulations. He anticipates that the power units will be one of the most significant factors in this shake-up.
The 2026 regulations aim to transition Formula 1 to fully sustainable fuel and increase reliance on electrical power while also adding more horsepower. While these new engines may lead to a reshuffling of the grid, Norris believes that Red Bull will still maintain an advantage due to their continued advancements in aerodynamics. He acknowledges that Red Bull is a smart team and hopes that they will eventually run out of innovative ideas, leveling the playing field for other teams.