Lando Norris in the paddock - Photo: Race Pictures

This single move can set Lando Norris up for 2025 success

17:14, 23 Oct

Updated: 19:38, 23 Oct

byKada Sarkozi

The way Lando Norris handled the different challenge of overtaking Charles Leclerc can put him on the best path for the rest of the season.

Starting from second place on the grid, the Brit got stuck behind Leclerc at the Circuit of the Americas. The Monegasque driver was on the soft tyres, but thanks to Ferrari's straight line speed, he could stay ahead on the first stint.

Norris caught up again after the pit stops but was risking a five-second penalty, with the black-and-white flag already shown to him.

His initial overtaking attempts in the second stint didn’t go well either, forcing him to drop back and cool his tyres.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris after the United States Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris makes important move stick

On Lap 51, the Briton went for it into Turn 1. The attempt was not successful, but he could now be closer to Leclerc heading into the back straight, where he overtook the Ferrari driver.

After the race, Norris said: "[I had to be] A little bit [more cautious]. I mean, the places which were easy to go off were Turn 9 over the crest of the hill, and then the last two corners. I think I was on three strikes by like lap 10.

"So I didn't put myself in the best position. But then one of my strikes was because I was racing.

"It definitely made my life that little bit trickier, especially Turn 19, with the wind, it was pretty inconsistent. It’s difficult to just be always on the limit and not make mistakes — which I obviously made a couple too many of, too early on.

"But yeah, a little bit more cautious at the end because I knew I couldn’t afford a penalty. But I took the risks I needed to."

Poll

A year ago, Norris locked horns with Max Verstappen for third place on the same track, going for a move in the same corner, but could not make the move stick.

This time, the move paid off for different reasons — not only because he earned three valuable points in the standings, but because he showed decisiveness under pressure.

It was a move that reflected the progress Norris has made over the past year.

During the final rounds, he will undoubtedly have to make maneuvers like that stick to become world champion, possibly against his teammate Oscar Piastri, and the chasing Verstappen. Now he has a clear example to build on.

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