Norris Bullish on Vegas Pole After Promising Opening Day for McLaren
Lando Norris is feeling confident about McLaren's chances for pole position in Las Vegas, citing a significantly improved car compared to last year's struggles at the circuit. Despite disrupted practice sessions, Norris topped FP2 and expressed a much better feeling in the car from the first lap. Team Principal Andrea Stella, while more tempered, acknowledges the car's strong potential, setting up McLaren as a dark horse for qualifying.
Lando Norris arrived in Las Vegas expecting a challenge, but instead found a McLaren vastly improved from its struggles last season. This transformation has left the championship contender openly confident about a shot at pole position.
Why it matters:
McLaren's improved performance in Las Vegas, a circuit where they struggled significantly last year, signals a notable leap in car development. For Norris, this isn't just about a single race; it's a testament to the team's ability to adapt and a crucial confidence booster as he aims to establish himself as a consistent front-runner.
The Details:
- FP1 and FP2 Performance: Norris finished sixth in FP1 and then surged to the top of the timesheets in a disrupted FP2. This strong showing is particularly encouraging given McLaren's dismal performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023.
- Driver Confidence: Norris stated, "We have a better feeling in the car than what we had last year, so that’s a positive, and that was felt I would say already from Lap 1 today." He concluded, "I mean, we’re fighting for pole."
- Limited Running: Both FP1 and FP2 sessions were heavily affected by red flags, track maintenance issues, and light rain, limiting actual track time for all teams. This means the competitive picture remains somewhat unclear.
- Team Principal's View: Andrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, offered a more cautious but still optimistic assessment. He acknowledged the limited data from disrupted sessions but sees "unquestionable potential" in the car.
- Setup Adjustments: Stella confirmed that the team still has work to do on the car's setup, noting that the track characteristics and conditions are not ideally suited for McLaren. However, they are committed to optimizing the car's potential.
What's next:
McLaren's challenge will be to translate this early pace into a strong qualifying performance, especially with limited long-run data. If Norris's confidence holds, and the team can fine-tune the setup, McLaren could be a significant contender for pole position, marking a dramatic turnaround from their previous Vegas outing and setting the stage for an exciting race weekend.