Lando Norris qualified in P2 and starts the United States GP alongside Max Verstappen - Photo: RacePictures

Norris concerns as McLaren head into unknown at United States GP

09:21, 19 Oct

Updated: 10:42, 19 Oct

byBen Winship

Lando Norris has expressed concern about McLaren’s lack of long-distance running following the team’s sprint race disaster at the United States GP.

“Many many question marks, but it is what it is and we have to make the most of what we got.”

- Lando Norris speaking after qualifying

The race will be the McLaren driver’s first real opportunity to attack the Circuit of the Americas on a heavy fuel load after his sprint race was halted on lap 1 following contact with teammate Oscar Piastri.

The Briton will start the United States GP from P2 alongside Max Verstappen on pole position. Piastri starts a couple rows behind in a disappointing P6.

Knock-on effect from Saturday’s sprint

Both McLaren cars ended their sprint race on the first corner following a messy accident which also involved Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso.

McLaren drivers collide on lap 1 of the Sprint at COTA - Photo: RacePictures

The McLaren drivers lost valuable long-distance running time and head into Sunday’s race more raw than their rivals.

Speaking to F1TV after qualifying Norris said: “We don't know anything at the minute, which is certainly not the position we want it to be - especially around here because it's so difficult with the bumps and sector one with the bottoming and you know quite a few people have big moments and big crashes.

“It's a risk so not knowing how the car is going to be on all the tyres with more fuel.

“You know I don't think I've done more than three laps in a row or laps with more than like 40 kilos of fuel in and you know you almost triple that for Sunday.”

Read also

Norris and Piastri also lost crucial ground to Verstappen in the championship as he closed the deficit down by a further eight points.

A trip into the unknown on Sunday

Unlike an ordinary race weekend, drivers head into a competitive session with just one hour of practice under their belt.

Saturday’s sprint race usually serves as a strong indicator of who might be competitive come the race on Sunday. But with both cars failing to complete a single corner in the sprint, McLaren will be heading into the unknown on Sunday.

Norris said: “Many many question marks, but it is what it is and we have to make the most of what we got.

“And I'm so confident. We're normally good on Sundays and that's normally more my thing. So, we'll see what we can do."

Norris trails championship leader Piastri by 22 points going into Sunday's race. Having closed the gap by a further eight points, Verstappen is now just 55 points behind Piastri.

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.