Norris Hints at McLaren's Secret Vegas Breakthrough

Lando Norris has issued a veiled warning to Formula 1 rivals, suggesting McLaren uncovered significant performance gains during "experiments" at last season's Las Vegas Grand Prix. Despite historically struggling at the unique street circuit, Norris believes the team's struggles last year provided crucial insights that could alter their fortunes this weekend.

Why it matters:

After a strong 2024 season that saw McLaren emerge as consistent front-runners, their historical weakness at low-grip, low-downforce tracks like Las Vegas and Baku remains a key concern. If Norris's hints of a breakthrough are true, it could mean McLaren has found a crucial piece of the puzzle to unlock performance at challenging venues, strengthening their championship credentials and making them a threat across a wider range of circuits.

The Details:

• Historical Struggles: Since Las Vegas joined the F1 calendar in 2023, it has been a difficult venue for McLaren, with the team yet to finish in the top five.
• 2023 Performance: Last season, Norris managed only sixth place in Las Vegas, despite McLaren generally having one of the strongest cars at that point in the year.
• Azerbaijan Parallels: McLaren's difficulties in Azerbaijan last September—another low-grip street circuit—further fueled expectations of a challenging weekend for Norris and Oscar Piastri.
• Cryptic Revelation: During media day in Las Vegas, Norris revealed that McLaren gained "substantial knowledge" during last year's race, refusing to elaborate on the precise details.
  • In-Race Experiments: He explained that due to their poor performance in 2023, he began "experimenting" extensively during the race, trying different driving styles, car approaches, and