Norris: McLaren at a Disadvantage After Difficult US GP Start

Lando Norris believes McLaren is at a significant disadvantage heading into the United States Grand Prix due to limited running and a lack of data from the sprint race. Starting P2, Norris highlighted rivals' potential edge after his early exit from the sprint due to a multi-car collision.

Why it matters:

• McLaren's recent resurgence has made them strong contenders, but a lack of crucial race data from the sprint could severely hamper their performance in the main Grand Prix.
• Norris, aiming for his first career win, faces an uphill battle against an in-form Max Verstappen and other front-runners who gathered valuable information.

The details:

• Norris expressed concern over his limited track time, stating he hasn't completed more than three consecutive laps or run with more than 40kg of fuel.
• This lack of running means McLaren has no clear understanding of how their car setup will perform over a full race distance on the challenging Circuit of The Americas.
• Unpredictable Conditions: The track's notorious bumps, bottoming issues, and variable winds make data collection even more critical for optimal setup.
• Norris was caught in an opening-lap incident during the sprint race at Turn 1, involving teammate Oscar Piastri, Nico Hulkenberg, and Fernando Alonso.
• The sprint was intended to provide crucial feedback on car changes made between qualifying and the race, but this opportunity was lost.
• Norris acknowledged the team is "certainly on the back foot" but stressed they wouldn't use it as an excuse for Sunday's race.

The big picture:

• Norris is still chasing his maiden F1 victory, and despite McLaren's strong form, this weekend's early setbacks add pressure.
• While the championship battle has often been framed around McLaren drivers, Max Verstappen's recent wins (Azerbaijan, Italian GPs, US sprint) underscore the formidable challenge he presents.
• Heading into the US Grand Prix, Piastri holds a 22-point lead over Norris, who is 33 points ahead of Verstappen.

What's next:

• McLaren will need to rely heavily on simulations and pre-race data to make educated guesses on setup, rather than real-world feedback.
• Norris will aim to convert his P2 grid slot into a strong points finish, despite the inherent disadvantages, in hopes of challenging for that elusive first win.
• The team will be working overnight to analyze all available data to mitigate the impact of their limited running and find a competitive race setup.