Steiner warns McLaren that Norris may leave if power-unit woes persist

Guenther Steiner, who previously led Haas, warned that Lando Norris may activate a performance-based exit clause if McLaren cannot resolve the reliability issues stemming from the 2026 regulation changes. The new rules, which eliminate the MGU-H and require a 50:50 split between the internal combustion engine and the MGU-K, have left customer teams like McLaren lagging behind works outfits such as Mercedes. Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri has already complained about the car’s unpredictable energy management, and Steiner praised Norris for staying composed despite a compromised package.

He reminded McLaren chief Zak Brown that the champion will not remain in a midfield team if a competitive car does not materialise. While Norris might be exploring alternatives, Steiner highlighted that seats at Mercedes and Ferrari are locked up, limiting his immediate options. Until McLaren delivers a significant performance boost, the driver’s future remains uncertain.