Lando Norris has openly expressed apprehension about McLaren’s prospects at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, acknowledging the team’s historical difficulties on the Strip Circuit. Since the race’s addition to the Formula 1 calendar in 2023, McLaren has yet to finish higher than sixth with either Norris or Oscar Piastri, a trend that has raised questions ahead of this year’s event.
Despite Norris’s recent back-to-back victories in Mexico and Brazil, which extended his lead over Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship, the British driver remains skeptical about the team’s competitiveness in Las Vegas. “I’m not looking forward to it,” Norris admitted during a post-race press conference. “The conditions there are really tough for us. Last year was our worst race, and the data shows we were way off pace.”
The cooler evening temperatures at the Las Vegas circuit have historically posed challenges for McLaren, with issues including tire graining, aerodynamic inefficiencies, and car setup problems. Norris highlighted that Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari outperformed the team last year, stating, “We were the weakest of the four.” However, he tempered his concerns, noting that McLaren has implemented improvements to address these shortcomings.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella emphasized that the team has taken lessons from their 2024 struggles. “Vegas was one of our toughest races last year,” Stella said. “We’ve made adjustments to tire behavior, aerodynamic efficiency, and car setup, but we’ll only know if they’re sufficient when we hit the track.” With the Constructors’ Championship secured, the focus now shifts to the Drivers’ Championship battle between Norris and Piastri.
Mercedes, who dominated the 2024 Las Vegas GP with George Russell winning from pole and Lewis Hamilton securing a one-two finish, faces uncertainty this year. Team principal Toto Wolff downplayed expectations for a repeat, stating, “We can’t rely on the same car as last year. The competition has evolved, and we need to adapt.”
The Las Vegas Grand Prix, set to air live on Sky Sports F1, marks the start of a three-race finale. While Norris and McLaren aim to close the gap, the event remains a pivotal test for both teams as they prepare for the season’s conclusion in Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
For fans, the race offers a chance to relive the chaotic highlights of the 2024 event, where Russell’s pole position and Verstappen’s title aspirations set the stage for dramatic moments. As the grid gears up for another high-stakes weekend, the focus will be on whether McLaren’s upgrades can translate to success or if Mercedes’ dominance will once again shine under the Strip Circuit’s lights.
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