Lando Norris Expresses 'Weak' McLaren Concerns Ahead of Las Vegas Grand Prix
Lando Norris has expressed significant concern about McLaren's potential performance at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, citing the team's historical struggles in cool conditions. This apprehension comes despite his comfortable lead in the F1 standings, as Max Verstappen remains a close contender. McLaren's inability to get tyres to optimal temperatures in colder weather has consistently hindered their results in Las Vegas, making this race a critical test for Norris's championship hopes.
Lando Norris has voiced his apprehension about the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, citing McLaren's historical struggles at the circuit. Despite holding a significant lead in the F1 drivers' standings, Norris remains wary of the cool conditions that have plagued McLaren's performance in Sin City over the past two seasons. This comes as Max Verstappen lurks 49 points behind, eyeing Red Bull's anticipated advantage in Las Vegas to keep his championship hopes alive.
Why it matters:
- McLaren's consistent struggles in cooler conditions, specifically in Las Vegas, pose a significant threat to Lando Norris's championship aspirations, potentially allowing Max Verstappen to close the gap.
- The outcome of the Las Vegas Grand Prix could dramatically shift the momentum in the F1 drivers' championship, highlighting the critical importance of overcoming track-specific weaknesses.
The Details:
- Historical Performance: McLaren has consistently underperformed in Las Vegas. In 2023, the team qualified P16 and P19, with Oscar Piastri crashing out on lap two and Norris salvaging only two points by finishing tenth with the fastest lap.
- Tyre Temperature Challenges: The cool conditions in Las Vegas have proven problematic due to McLaren's cars being generally forgiving to their tyres, making it difficult to get them into the optimal temperature window in colder weather.
- Norris's Concerns: When asked about the impact of cooler conditions, Norris stated, "Hinder, for sure. I think it was our worst race last year. So I'm not really looking forward to it."
- He acknowledged McLaren's efforts to improve, noting, "We've been trying to work quite hard on improving those things."
- Norris specifically mentioned Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari were "incredibly strong there last year," positioning McLaren "the bottom of those four."
- Temperature Forecast: Temperatures in Las Vegas are expected to be below 10 degrees Celsius, exacerbating McLaren's known issues with tyre warm-up.
What's Next:
While Las Vegas presents a formidable challenge, Norris remains optimistic about the final two rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, circuits where McLaren has historically performed better. The team's ability to mitigate their weaknesses in Las Vegas will be crucial in maintaining Norris's championship lead. If McLaren can surprise with an improved performance in the cold, it will bolster their confidence significantly heading into the championship's climax. Conversely, a poor showing could open the door for Verstappen to reignite his title bid.