Norris Frustrated by 'Impossible to Drive' McLaren Despite P2 Qualifying

Lando Norris expressed significant frustration after qualifying for the US Grand Prix, despite securing a runner-up spot behind Max Verstappen. He described his McLaren as 'unpredictable' and 'impossible to drive,' indicating a challenging session despite the strong result.

Why it matters:

After a strong run of form, McLaren and Lando Norris are looking to cement their position as consistent front-runners. However, Norris's candid comments highlight persistent challenges with car behavior, especially on bumpy circuits like COTA. Addressing these issues is crucial for McLaren's long-term competitive aspirations and Norris's pursuit of a maiden F1 victory.

The Details:

• Challenging Qualifying Session: Norris's Q1 began with an aborted lap after going wide at Turn 9, forcing him to rely on a second attempt to barely escape elimination.
• Pace Deficit: Despite qualifying P2, Norris was nearly three-tenths of a second off Max Verstappen's pole time.
• Car's Unpredictability: Norris described the MCL39 as 'a handful to drive,' citing 'every bump, every kerb, lap to lap different' behavior. This unpredictability contrasts with the car's usual characteristics.
• Sprint Race Impact: Norris's early exit from the Sprint race meant McLaren lost a crucial opportunity to gather data and fine-tune the car's setup for Sunday's main race. This left the team 'on the back foot' regarding understanding how the car performs over race distances and in different conditions.
• Comparison to Friday: Norris noted a significant drop-off in pace and comfort compared to Friday's sprint qualifying, where he felt more at ease and was quicker.
• Track Conditions: He attributed some of the struggles to worsening track conditions and wind, which seemed to affect McLaren more adversely than other teams.

Between the lines:

Norris's frustration, while directed at the car's handling, also underscores the high expectations now placed on McLaren. His drive to win, rather than simply settle for podiums, signals a shift in mindset within the team. The unpredictability on a demanding circuit like COTA reveals areas where McLaren still needs to improve to consistently challenge for victories, especially when conditions are less than ideal. The lost data from the Sprint race only compounds the challenge for Sunday.

What's next:

Despite the difficulties, Norris aims for victory in the Grand Prix, stating, 'I want to win. I hate standing on the second or third step.' Starting from P2 provides a strong opportunity, but overcoming the car's reported handling issues and navigating the race without the benefit of Sprint race data will be critical. The team will need to make educated guesses on setup adjustments to maximize their performance on race day, hoping to maintain their recent competitive momentum.