Assertive Norris Confident in McLaren's Las Vegas Pace Despite Curtailed Practice
Lando Norris expressed high confidence in McLaren's car performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, claiming a better feel than last year despite limited practice time. Topping FP2, Norris believes the team has the pace to challenge for pole position, setting the stage for a competitive weekend. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, however, remains less certain about the car's true potential after an interrupted session.
Lando Norris has expressed strong confidence in McLaren's car pace at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, even after a truncated second practice session. Despite the tricky track conditions, Norris believes the team has a better feeling with the car compared to last year and that the underlying pace is evident.
Why it matters:
McLaren's recent resurgence has made them a consistent threat at the front of the grid. Norris's optimism, particularly after topping FP2, suggests they could be in contention for pole position and a strong race result in Las Vegas, further solidifying their position as a top-tier team capable of challenging the established front-runners. A strong performance here could also significantly impact the Constructors' Championship battle.
The details:
- Norris acknowledged the challenging nature of the Las Vegas street circuit but immediately felt an improvement in the car's handling compared to the previous year.
- He topped the timing sheet in the second practice session (FP2), improving from sixth in FP1, demonstrating significant one-lap pace.
- Despite the red flag incident that cut short FP2, limiting high-fuel running, Norris remains confident in McLaren's overall speed.
- Tight Field: Norris observed that the competitive field is very tight, with many drivers not getting clean laps in, suggesting a fierce battle for qualifying.
- Teammate's Perspective: In contrast to Norris's optimism, teammate Oscar Piastri remained uncertain about McLaren's true pace after FP2, having finished 14th due to the red flag shortening his run.
What's next:
With Norris aiming for pole position, the focus shifts to qualifying sessions where McLaren will look to capitalize on their evident one-lap pace. The team will need to translate Norris's confidence into a strong grid position to maximize their chances for the race.
- Further analysis of the limited long-run data will be crucial for race strategy, especially given the unique demands of the Las Vegas track.
- Resolving any discrepancies in car feel between Norris and Piastri will also be important for a strong two-car attack.