Lando Norris Struggles with Handling as McLaren Lags at US GP

Lando Norris ended Friday's sessions at the Circuit of the Americas with a familiar frustration. While the MCL40 shows flashes of competitive speed, it remains stubbornly difficult to handle, leaving the reigning world champion chasing the frontrunners rather than challenging them.

Why it matters:

In the tight margins of the 2026 season, raw pace is irrelevant if it cannot be consistently accessed. If Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull can deliver their performance with less effort, McLaren faces a significant competitive disadvantage. The struggle isn't a lack of speed, but a lack of driveability, which forces drivers to flirt with perfection just to stay in the fight, leaving virtually no margin for error during a flying lap.

The details:

• Timing Gap: Charles Leclerc topped FP2 for Ferrari, with Norris finishing seventh, 1.082 seconds adrift. Even Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson finished ahead of both McLarens.
• Handling Struggles: Norris described the car as "too difficult to be consistent," noting that the effort required to make the car quick is currently a step behind the top three rivals.
• Aero Gains: CTO Rob Marshall confirmed that the latest upgrade package—featuring revised front/rear corner furniture and diffuser changes—has provided measurable aerodynamic benefits.
• Unrealized Potential: McLaren believes the stopwatch is misleading, pointing to a high-pace lap in FP2 that ended in a driver error as evidence that the car's theoretical ceiling remains competitive.

What's next:

The team is now focusing on "small tweaks" to the setup ahead of Saturday's qualifying. While no dramatic overhaul is planned, finding a direction that improves the car's intuitive feel is critical. If McLaren can bridge the gap between raw potential and actual driveability, they remain optimistic about their ability to challenge for the podium this weekend.