Norris Cautious About Vegas GP: 'Our Worst Race Last Year'

Lando Norris, fresh off a dominant run and leading the championship, is tempering expectations for the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, recalling McLaren's struggles on the street circuit last year. Despite recent improvements, Norris remains pragmatic, highlighting the track's unique challenges that previously exposed his team's weaknesses.

Why it matters:

After a season of remarkable progress, McLaren's performance in Las Vegas will be a crucial test of their overall development and ability to adapt to diverse track characteristics. A strong showing could solidify their position as consistent frontrunners, while a repeat of last year's struggles might temper championship aspirations, especially as key rivals like Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari historically perform well there.

The Details:

• Last Year's Struggle: Norris openly stated that the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix "was our worst race last year," indicating a significant challenge for McLaren on that particular circuit.
• Track Characteristics: The Las Vegas street circuit features long straights and a low-grip surface, which previously did not suit McLaren's car concept.
• Team Efforts: McLaren has since been "working quite hard on improving those things" to address the weaknesses exposed in the previous race.
• Rival Strengths: Norris acknowledged that Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari were "incredibly strong there last year," positioning McLaren at "the bottom of those four" during the 2024 event.
• Recent Form: Despite his caution for Vegas, Norris has been in exceptional form, extending his lead over teammate Oscar Piastri by 24 points after a strong performance in Brazil.
  • He also secured a commanding victory in Mexico, winning by a significant margin.

The big picture:

Norris's honesty about McLaren's historical performance in Vegas reflects a broader strategy of managing expectations, even amid a strong season. This contrasts with his confidence in other upcoming races like Abu Dhabi and Qatar, which he anticipates will be more favorable. His pragmatic approach underscores the varied demands of the F1 calendar and how specific track layouts can expose different car strengths and weaknesses, even for a team on a clear upward trajectory.

What's next:

While Norris isn't optimistic about a win in Las Vegas, he remains positive about the team's overall progress this year. The true test will be if McLaren's extensive development efforts since last year can overcome the inherent challenges of the Vegas street circuit. How they perform there will be a key indicator of their championship credentials and their ability to consistently challenge the top teams, even on tracks that don't historically favor their car.