McLaren Declares: Lando Norris Had the Winning Speed at the US Grand Prix!
In a thrilling twist of fate at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix, McLaren remains steadfast in its belief that Lando Norris possessed the raw speed to clinch victory in Austin. Despite the dramatic outcome, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crossing the finish line a staggering 7.959 seconds ahead of Norris, the McLaren team is not waving the white flag in the championship race.
As it stands, Verstappen has now fallen 40 points behind the championship leader, Oscar Piastri, who is basking in the glow of his dominant performance. Norris, meanwhile, finds himself just 14 points adrift of Piastri, igniting a fierce battle for supremacy. However, the McLaren team principal, Andrea Stella, is far from discouraged. He firmly believes that the team’s pace during the race was more than enough to contend for the top spot.
Reflecting on the pivotal moments of the race, Stella pointed to the crucial incident at Turn 1, where Norris lost vital track position to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. “Today’s race offers some reassurance,” Stella stated emphatically. “Had Lando not been embroiled in a duel with Charles, I am convinced he had the pace to claim victory.” The McLaren chief underscored that the one-stop strategy employed by the team limited their chances to outmaneuver Verstappen, but he remains optimistic about the car’s performance capabilities.
Stella’s assessment highlights the critical role of track positioning in the race’s outcome. He stated, “We need to evaluate whether we could have done more to defend against Ferrari at the start,” emphasizing the impact that the early race dynamics had on their strategy. Mark Hughes, an expert in the field, also noted that these factors significantly diminished Norris’s chances of seizing the win.
Despite Stella’s unwavering confidence, Norris himself expressed caution. He acknowledged the challenges he faced in overtaking Leclerc, suggesting that even if he had secured a better position, the task of challenging Verstappen would have remained daunting. “I had a hard time just getting close to Charles, and their pace was quite strong,” Norris revealed, casting doubt on the feasibility of an attack on the leading Red Bull.
The young driver lamented his qualifying performance, admitting, “I regret not putting in a perfect lap and not going purple in qualifying.” He reflected on the myriad of strategic decisions that could have altered the race’s trajectory, but ultimately stood by the team’s strategy. “We executed a solid plan,” he concluded, noting the risks associated with alternative strategies that could have jeopardized their race.
Stella also highlighted an unfortunate setback from Saturday’s sprint race, where a collision between McLaren drivers deprived the team of crucial track data, hindering their setup. “Not having the sprint race put us on the back foot,” he explained, revealing that a mere millimeter in ride height adjustments could have made a world of difference in performance.
Looking ahead, Stella feels optimistic about McLaren’s prospects, asserting that the team is still very much in contention for the championship. “The outcome of this season and the drivers’ championship is firmly within our grasp,” he declared. “We must maintain our calm and extract the maximum from our performance to secure the crown.”
As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on McLaren and its determined drivers as they battle for glory against formidable rivals. Will they harness their potential and rise to the occasion? The race for the championship is far from over!