Comparing the feel of the new-spec F1 cars to a junior formula is not exactly what the sport's bosses want to hear, but that's the world champion's first impression.

"It certainly feels like an F2 car in some ways with how you have to drive it," Norris replied when asked how the car feels following this year's dramatic overhaul of the regulations. "I don't know if I like that or not for the time being," he added.

However, the Briton admits that his initial reaction could be down to various factors, not least the Barcelona track.

"I think we understood quite a few things already from Barcelona on how you had to drive the car," he said, "but Barcelona, you're talking about fourth-gear corners, third-gear corners, quite open, quite wide. When you get to a street track or bumpier tracks, slower tracks, that's a question we're yet to answer," he admitted. "Bahrain will answer some of those questions. It will be a learning curve.

Interestingly, Aston Martin reserve, Jak Crawford compared 2026-spec cars to F2 last year, following his initial runs in the simulator, While Isack Hadjar has also said the 2026 F1 car felt "closer to an F2 car performance-wise".

"I think comments about Formula 2 pace are way off the mark," said the FIA's single-seater director, Nikolas Tombazis at the time. "We are talking about lap times, overall, which are in the region of one or two seconds off where we are now, depending on the track, depending on the conditions.

"Obviously, at the start of a cycle, it would be silly to be faster than the previous cycle," he insisted. "It would cost us nothing from a regulations point of view, it would be very easy to make the cars go faster. But one has to gradually claw back what is gained by natural development. So you can't start the cycle going faster than the previous one.

"I think it's natural that the cars are a bit slower, but I don't think we are anywhere near the 'it's not a Formula 1' car discussion in any way or shape."

Of course, with the Shakedown being held behind closed doors, and with security tighter than at Billie Eilish's Malibu mansion, even driver reaction to the cars was heavily filtered.

However, Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto admitted: "They feel a little different. I don't know how to express because I didn't really drive any similar car in the past. I would say the Formula 2 car, it's much slower than the old regulations of Formula 1. And I feel these ones are going to be slower as well."

The upcoming tests in Bahrain should offer far more insight, and hopefully greater clarity from the drivers.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Superbird70, 45 minutes ago

"F1.5 The Movie."

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2. Posted by Chester, 2 hours ago

"Hopefully it all works out.

But seeing and hearing the old V8 V10s on Instagram, I am left with the feeling that the fully ICE cars were man's cars, while these new hybrids are for tech Joes.

Leaves me feeling a bit flat. Maybe I can run outside and oogle a beautiful woman to feel some passion. "

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3. Posted by Tyrbiter, 3 hours ago

"@JamesD No, they won't do that, they'll scream "Half a Formula E 'engine'!""

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4. Posted by JamesD, 3 hours ago

"Hopefully all will be fine and nobody feels the need to be screaming 'GP2 engine !'"

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"It feels like an F2 car," says Norris of 2026 F1 contenders

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