Lando Norris, the current Formula 1 world champion, still possesses the tools to engineer a dramatic comeback and hold onto his drivers' title, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst David Croft. Norris secured his and McLaren's inaugural victory of the year at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, trimming the gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli to 91 points as the sport pauses for its summer hiatus with just 11 of the 23 scheduled rounds completed. The decisive nature of Norris's win, achieved after McLaren introduced a substantial upgrade package at the Hungaroring, has sparked optimism that the Woking-based team may have permanently re‑entered the fight for race wins and that the British driver could once again become a genuine title contender. In the latest episode of Sky Sports' "The F1 Show" podcast, Croft argued that the pivotal question will be whether McLaren can sustain its newfound edge over Antonelli's Mercedes outfit.
Croft asked, "One of the big things coming out of the summer break – can McLaren carry this momentum forward? Are they going to put their eggs in a Lando Norris basket, and will that gamble pay off again?" He went on to note that the Constructors' Championship remains wide open and that the Drivers' Championship is far from out of reach for Norris. "I don’t think Lando is so far behind that he can't claw back the deficit," he said, adding with a grin, "I haven’t even taken a holiday yet.
I can’t wait to get back to business at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. I don’t want a three‑week pause; I want the racing thick and fast!" One of McLaren's persistent challenges this season has been extracting maximum performance from the Mercedes‑supplied power unit, a task the Silver Arrows have historically handled more adeptly. Hungary, being one of the less demanding circuits in terms of outright engine output, raised questions about whether McLaren could replicate its Hungarian form on power‑heavy tracks.
Croft, however, highlighted the similarity between the Hungaroring and Monaco – a circuit where Mercedes still managed a victory in early June – suggesting that the upgrade’s benefits could translate elsewhere. "We’re 11 races into the season now, and I think McLaren are understanding the power unit way better than they were at the start of the year," he observed.
"Is it a surprise they did so well in Hungary? Not really; they were one‑two in Budapest for the last two years. It’s a little surprising given how strong Mercedes were in Monaco, but that might be down to driver performance that weekend rather than a fundamental weakness in the Mercedes package." Croft praised the upgrade, saying it injected much‑needed competition into the championship battle.
"What delighted me was seeing stronger competition to the leaders. We want this championship to go right to the wire because that’s far more entertaining. McLaren's upgrade worked.
They’ve taken their time this year to play catch‑up, but they’re now closing the gap. The signs were there from the start – Lando built up pace throughout the weekend, indicating the upgrade was effective and that they were ready to challenge Mercedes." There remains some uncertainty about whether all 12 remaining races will proceed as planned due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but Sky Sports F1 commentator Bernie Collins believes Norris still has ample opportunity to turn the tide. "This year is about upgrades," Collins said on the podcast.
"It’s about who can get the most out of the car and the engine. So far we’ve completed 11 rounds and have 12 more to go – there are still plenty of points up for grabs." Collins reminded listeners of last season’s dramatic swing: Max Verstappen 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 tally.
"We saw McLaren have a little bit of the upper hand this weekend, and perhaps Mercedes have been a bit distracted by internal issues earlier in the year," he added. "So, it’s still all to play for. You’ve got three cars – maybe Verstappen as well – fighting for the front week in, week out. That’s what makes the rest of the season fascinating to watch." The Formula 1 calendar resumes after the summer break with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort from August 21‑23, with every session broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with no contract and the option to cancel at any time. The combination of McLaren’s recent upgrade, Norris’s proven race‑craft, and the remaining points‑rich races means the title fight is far from settled, and the next half of the season promises to be a thrilling contest for the sport’s top honors.