Lando Norris is heading to Austin with a positive outlook, feeling that McLaren is poised for a strong performance. The British driver is eager to continue narrowing the gap to Max Verstappen and Red Bull in the championship chase.
Norris secured a commanding win in Singapore, cutting Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ standings to 52 points. Reflecting on the break since that race, Norris acknowledged that the pause in the season had mixed effects.
Speaking during the press conference ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Norris was asked whether the break was frustrating or gave him time to reflect. He shared: “Honestly, a bit of both. After Singapore, I just wanted to keep the momentum going. We were in a great rhythm, and I think we still are.
“But everyone needs some time off – not just me, but the whole team, including those working back at the factory. It was a chance to regroup and prepare for the final stretch of the season. But I also had some time to relax and catch up with friends.”
Asked if he still feels the same level of confidence coming into Austin as he had for Singapore, Norris said: “Probably even more, to be honest. Looking back at last year’s race here, we had a strong performance, especially compared to Singapore. We led the first half of the race, even though some circumstances were in our favor. But overall, it was a good weekend.
“With some changes to the track surface and layout this year, there are always questions to answer. But based on how we’ve performed in recent races, we’re confident that we’ll be near the front.”
Norris also commented on the resurfacing of the Circuit of The Americas and the return of the Sprint race format, viewing these as potential opportunities for McLaren. “We don’t really know if it’ll be an advantage or not, but we’re treating it as an opportunity until proven otherwise. Sprint races can be unpredictable, and getting the set-up right is crucial. But with everything we’ve seen, we’re approaching it as a chance to maximize our performance.”
When asked if this weekend could indicate his chances in the title fight with Verstappen, especially with Red Bull bringing upgrades to Austin, Norris remarked: “It’s been the same for the last few weekends – people wonder if it’ll be a turning point. It could go my way or Max’s way. I’m just focused on doing my best. I’m happy with how things are going, even if the final result isn’t always what I want. If we keep pushing as a team, we can close the gap, but it’s not easy. I can only control what I do, and we’ll see how the rest unfolds.”