Lando Norris has been unstoppable lately – but as Formula 1’s championship leader heads to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas next week, the Briton is keeping his expectations in check.
The McLaren driver extended his remarkable run of form last weekend in Brazil, pushing his margin over teammate Oscar Piastri in the title fight to 24 points.
But Norris isn’t sugar-coating the challenge ahead, recalling all too clearly McLaren’s lackluster performance on the streets of Sin City in 2024, compelling team papaya to circle the event on its calendar as a trouble spot.
“I think it was our worst race last year,” said Norris after his Sao Paulo triumph. “So I’m not really looking forward to it.”
Since last year’s underperformance, McLaren has worked tirelessly to shore up the weaknesses exposed by the track’s long straights and low-grip surface.
“We’ve been trying to work quite hard on improving those things,” he added. “We know Mercedes were incredibly strong there last year, as well as Red Bull and Ferrari. I think we were the bottom of those four.”
Eyes on the Desert, Hopes Beyond It
While Vegas might not promise the same orange fireworks McLaren fans have grown used to lately, Norris remains upbeat about what’s still to come.
“Obviously we’ve improved a lot of things this year, so I’m not going to be too negative about it. I think there’s plenty to look forward to,” he said.
“We know Abu Dhabi and Qatar are ones we are looking forward to. Las Vegas just a little bit less, because they’ve been probably some of our weakest races over the last two years. So let’s wait and see.”
©McLaren
After dominating in Mexico – winning “by 30 seconds – like, very, very easy,” as he put it — Norris noted how Brazil was a tougher fight.
“I won today by pushing a lot more, only 10 seconds, and Max [Verstappen] was probably the quickest out on track today.”
That honesty is something Norris takes pride in, especially when it comes to managing expectations.
“I always try and be as honest as I can be: if I don’t think we’re going to be quick, I don’t think we’re going to be quick.”
“I’m not saying I’m going to be 10th,” he added, “I’m just saying I think it’s going to be difficult to win. We were a long way off. Just go and look at the data from last year, look at the race traces, we were miles off.”
Still, for all his confidence and momentum, Norris refuses to be lulled by recent success.
“We were very good here two years ago, we almost challenged Max for the win [but] we’ve never been good in Vegas,” he ad
mitted. “So why am I going to think, ‘Yeah, it’s going to be fine’?”
“I’m giving my honest opinion on how I think we’re going to be. We’ve never been good there, so I’m not the most confident about going into that race.”
Ff Formula 1 has taught us anything this season, it’s that form can flip as fast as the lights go out. Norris may not be brimming with Vegas optimism, but with a car that’s been consistently improving and a driver at the top of his game, few would bet against McLaren turning the tables – even under the dazzling glare of the Strip.
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