Key Highlights:
- Lando Norris labeled his United States Grand Prix qualifying performance as a “very bad job” after securing only eighth on the grid despite feeling the car possessed front-row pace.
- A track limits deletion at Turn 19 invalidated Norris’s fastest lap in Q3, placing him alongside McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri on row four.
- Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli took pole position in Austin, followed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in second.
Lando Norris Left Frustrated by Difficult McLaren Handling in Austin
Lando Norris expressed immense frustration following a compromised qualifying session at the United States Grand Prix, admitting he was deeply self-critical after managing only eighth on the grid. The McLaren driver believed a front-row starting slot was well within reach despite the extremely challenging handling characteristics of his MCL40 machinery. Norris will share the fourth row of the grid with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
Norris briefly looked set to start higher up the order after posting a time worthy of sixth on his second Q3 run. However, that lap was deleted by race officials after the British driver exceeded track limits at Turn 19. His initial banker effort from earlier in the session was only sufficient for eighth, ending up a second adrift of Mercedes polesitter Kimi Antonelli and 0.835 seconds behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in second place.
Speaking after the session, Norris offered a candid self-assessment of his drive: “The car was very strong today in terms of pace,”
he said. “Insanely difficult to drive. Probably the hardest car I’ve ever had to drive in my life. But good enough for P2, so I should be P2 and I’m P8, so clearly, I did a very bad job today.”
Handling Imbalance and Sector Three Deficits
Norris had earlier showcased promising pace by leading the opening qualifying phase, Q1, though several rival teams opted for medium-compound tires while McLaren ran softs. Even with the car displaying raw speed, the vehicle’s unpredictability severely limited his confidence over a single flying lap.
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“The car was quick, it’s just nasty to drive,”
added Norris. “I saw a good result, it’s possible. I think I still have faith that we can get a good result tomorrow. I don’t know how easy it’s going to be to overtake and things like that. But, for a lot of the track, we seem on par. We struggle a lot in sector three and there’s very slow speed. We’re pretty dreadful, honestly. But tomorrow is a new day.”
McLaren arrived at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, with the initial phase of its final aerodynamic and mechanical upgrade package for the season. The revised package includes altered diffuser profiles and updated front suspension geometry aimed at improving balance. However, dialing in the car’s setup across the varied characteristics of the Texas circuit proved exceptionally tough.
“We try and improve it every time,”
Norris explained. “We improve the car, we bring upgrades. But it’s something we’re not completely… I don’t know, it might be that the car is just not quick enough and therefore there’s always hope that I can do a mega lap and I can be P1. But you improve three corners and the other three are a nightmare all of a sudden. It’s just impossible. It’s an impossible car to achieve the perfection that I want to achieve at the minute. Which is a struggle, because I want to go for pole, and I need to tell myself to settle for a P5, and I don’t want to do that.”
The difficulties extended to the other side of the McLaren garage as well. Oscar Piastri shared a similar sentiment regarding his performance, stating “I’ve not been anywhere near as competitive as what I wanted to be”
after qualifying alongside his teammate on row four.
Why This Matters
The United States Grand Prix qualifying result marks the continuation of a difficult stretch for McLaren, which has gone three consecutive grands prix without securing a podium finish. While Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari have surged ahead through recent development cycles, McLaren’s MCL40 has struggled with a persistent deficit in slow-speed cornering and straight-line speed.
Starting from eighth and sharing row four with Piastri poses a challenging tactical race for McLaren. Maximizing tire life, overcoming the sector three deficit, and navigating passing opportunities around the Austin track will be vital if the team hopes to salvage strong points and mount a challenge against front-runners Mercedes and Red Bull in Sunday’s race.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will Lando Norris start the United States Grand Prix?
Lando Norris will start the United States Grand Prix from eighth place on the grid, lining up on row four alongside McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
Why was Norris’s fastest Q3 lap time deleted?
Norris originally clocked a time fast enough for sixth position during his final run in Q3, but the lap was struck off by stewards due to a track limits violation at Turn 19.
Who secured the front row in qualifying at Austin?
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli earned pole position for the United States Grand Prix, with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen qualifying alongside him in second place.
