Lando Norris, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, still possesses the tools and momentum to mount a dramatic comeback and hold onto his drivers' title, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst David Croft. Norris secured his and McLaren's first win of the campaign at the Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowing the gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli to 91 points with just over half of the 23‑round calendar completed.
The victory was particularly striking because McLaren arrived at the Hungaroring with a substantial aerodynamic and mechanical upgrade package, suggesting the team may have finally closed the performance gap that has plagued them for much of the season. Croft, speaking on the latest episode of Sky Sports' "The F1 Show" podcast, emphasized that the decisive factor going forward will be McLaren's ability to consistently out‑perform Mercedes, the powerhouse behind Antonelli's car.
He asked, "Can McLaren sustain the form we saw in Hungary? Will they keep putting their faith in Lando Norris and see that gamble pay off again?" He added that the Constructors' title remains wide open and that, despite the current deficit, Norris is not so far behind that a championship reversal is impossible. The British driver himself expressed a hunger for more racing, noting that he has not even taken a holiday yet and is eager to return to the grid at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. "I don't want a three‑week lull; I want the action back, fast and furious," he said, underscoring his determination to keep the fight alive.
One of McLaren's lingering challenges this year has been extracting maximum performance from the Mercedes‑supplied power unit. While the team has managed to make the most of the relatively low‑downforce, power‑friendly Hungaroring, questions remain about whether they can replicate that success on circuits that demand more outright engine power.
Croft noted that the Hungaroring shares certain characteristics with Monaco, a venue where Mercedes still managed to claim victory earlier in June. "We’re eleven races in, and McLaren seem to have a much better grasp of the power unit than they did at the start of the year," he observed. He recalled that McLaren's dominance in Budapest was not entirely unexpected, given their one‑two finishes there over the past two seasons. However, the strength of Mercedes in Monaco made Hungary's result a slight surprise, perhaps reflecting driver‑specific factors—Antonelli delivered an exceptional performance that weekend.
Nevertheless, Croft does not believe Mercedes are fundamentally weak on a track like Budapest; rather, McLaren's upgrade simply tipped the balance. The analyst praised the upgrade package, saying it injected fresh competition into the championship battle. "What excites me is seeing stronger rivals challenge the leaders.
It makes the title race go right to the wire, which is far more entertaining," Croft said. He highlighted that McLaren has taken a measured approach this year, playing catch‑up but now appearing to be on par with the front‑runners. "From the start of the weekend, Lando built up the pace, indicating the upgrade was effective.
They now have the speed to contest Mercedes head‑to‑head," he added. Potential geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East could jeopardize some of the remaining twelve races, but Sky Sports F1 commentator Bernie Collins remains optimistic that Norris will have ample opportunity to turn the tide.
"This season will be defined by upgrades and by who can extract the most from their machinery and engines," Collins told the podcast. "We’ve completed eleven rounds, with twelve still to run, meaning a huge number of points are still up for grabs." Collins drew a parallel with last season's dramatic comeback by Max Verstappen, who trailed championship leader Oscar Piastri by 104 points with nine races left, yet fought back to finish just two points behind Norris in the final standings. This historical precedent illustrates how quickly fortunes can change in Formula 1 when a team finds the right package and a driver seizes the moment.
He also pointed out that McLaren appeared to have a slight edge over Mercedes during the Hungarian weekend, suggesting that internal dynamics at Mercedes may have contributed to their relative under‑performance earlier in the year. "We’ve seen McLaren gain a bit of the upper hand, and perhaps Mercedes have been distracted by their own internal battles," Collins remarked.
"That means the championship is still very much up for grabs, with three, maybe even four, cars capable of contesting the lead week after week. It’s a thrilling narrative to follow." Looking ahead, the season resumes after the summer hiatus with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled for August 21‑23.
All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract. The upcoming races will test whether McLaren can maintain the momentum generated in Hungary, whether Antonelli and Mercedes can respond with their own upgrades, and whether Norris can capitalize on every opportunity to close the points gap. With a substantial portion of the calendar still to run, the championship remains wide open, and as Croft succinctly put it, "It’s all to play for."