Norris Cautious Despite Topping Las Vegas Practice

Despite clocking the fastest time in FP2 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lando Norris remains wary, acknowledging that many rivals couldn't complete their qualifying simulations. While McLaren's raw pace is evident, its relative standing against competitors is still uncertain.

Why it matters:

This caution from Norris highlights the unpredictable nature of early practice sessions, especially on a new or challenging circuit like Las Vegas. With a tight championship battle, every session provides crucial data, but incomplete runs can obscure the true pecking order. Understanding this dynamic is key for McLaren to finalize their strategy and for Norris to maintain his championship lead.

The details:

• Norris finished FP2 with a 1:33.602, placing him half a second ahead of Max Verstappen and nine-tenths clear of Oscar Piastri.
• However, two late red flags in the session prevented several drivers, including Verstappen and Piastri, from completing proper soft-tire runs for a true qualifying simulation.
• Norris noted, "Always tricky... The pace clearly is there." He also acknowledged that "not many people didn’t get their laps in."
• Team-mate Performance: Oscar Piastri, despite being behind Norris, felt his MCL39 had "decent pace" and a better feel than last year's car, although his FP2 was also cut short to just two laps due to the red flags.

What's next:

McLaren's focus will be on extracting maximum performance in the remaining sessions, despite the limited data from FP2. Both Norris and Piastri are confident in the car's potential but recognize the need for more track time and clearer data on rival performance.

• Norris explicitly stated his expectation: "We are fighting for pole."
• The changing track conditions and potential weather variations over the weekend will add another layer of complexity, making adaptability crucial for all teams.
• The true competitive landscape will likely become clearer during FP3 and, critically, during qualifying, as all drivers get uninterrupted runs on soft tires.