Is McLaren now a legitimate threat to Mercedes and Ferrari in F1 2026?

McLaren introduced a significant new floor upgrade at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, enabling Lando Norris to win from pole position — the team's first grand prix victory of the season. The upgrade proved particularly effective at the high-downforce Hungaroring circuit, with Norris described as 'in a class of his own' in free air. The result has raised questions about whether McLaren can now consistently challenge early-season frontrunners Mercedes and Ferrari as the development war intensifies week to week.