Lando Norris approaches the US Grand Prix with confidence, hoping McLaren’s momentum can challenge Red Bull’s recent technical setback.
Lando Norris has warned Max Verstappen that the United States Grand Prix weekend should be more favourable for him than the one in Singapore.
Norris won the last race with nearly a 21-second lead, but the Dutchman finished second, leaving the Briton only able to reduce his championship deficit by seven points.
Norris and Verstappen are set to face off over the remaining six Grand Prix weekends, with Norris needing to close a 52-point gap. The Briton returns to the 2023 edition at Austin with renewed confidence.
“Our team is in a good rhythm. The confidence is just as high as it was in Singapore—probably higher, I’d say. If you look at where we were last year here at Austin, compared to the car we had and where we were in Singapore, I think this weekend has been better for us. We led the first half of the race. I know some things were mixed up due to different scenarios, but it was a good weekend here.”
“Some things have changed on this track again, with a new surface, fewer bumps, and part of the layout altered slightly, so we still have questions to answer. But compared to last year, with our performances over the last three, four, or five races, I think we’re confident across the board that we should be near the top.”
However, Norris is aware of his challenge in the drivers’ championship and reiterated his need for support.
“It could swing in my favour. It could swing in Max’s favour. So, I’m staying focused on what I do. I’ve done a good job. I’m happy with how things have gone. I haven’t always been pleased with the final outcome for various reasons, but I’m satisfied with what we’re doing as a team and how we’re working together. I’m confident that if we keep our heads down and continue pushing, we can close the gap. But it’s not easy. I need more than just me first and Max second, but I can’t control Max’s result. It’s up to others, like Oscar, to help me.”
Norris also reacted to the news that Red Bull has been asked by the FIA to discontinue a device that allowed them to adjust their ride height from the cockpit. Red Bull claims they never used it under parc fermé conditions and has provided assurances to the FIA going forward.
Good news for McLaren?
“It’s one thing to have this device on the car, but it’s another to actually use it. So, if it has helped them, and if they’ve used it as people believe, then maybe things will shift in our favour. But when you’re talking about things like this, it’s not as if multiple pole positions or wins are determined solely by such a device.”
“I don’t think it will really change anything in the grand scheme of things, whether they’ve used it or not. Maybe in some qualifying sessions, where margins were down to thousandths or hundredths, it might have made a difference in one direction or another.”
“We don’t know, but I think it’s a positive step that the FIA has acted on this. There’s a clear distinction between black-and-white issues like this and what Formula 1 is all about—pushing the limits, creating new things, and innovating within the space you’re allowed to. I believe that’s what we’ve done at McLaren, and we’ve done a great job. But we’ve shown there’s no need to push beyond that.”
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Norris Confident McLaren Can Capitalise as Red Bull Loses Edge Norris Confident McLaren Can Capitalise as Red Bull Loses Edge
