Lando Norris at the Circuit of the Americas - Photo: Race Pictures

Did McLaren miss it? Norris addresses lost U.S GP chance

16:09, 21 Oct

byNorberto Mujica

Lando Norris’ McLaren could have fought for victory in Austin. Nevertheless, he does not begrudge his team for the strategic decisions made during the race and says he’s satisfied with his result at the United States Grand Prix.

I think we took the correct amount of risk for the position we’re in, and I’m happy and satisfied with the result

- Lando Norris

While teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri finished 10th, Norris secured second place, trimming the Australian’s lead by eight points, down to 14, with five Grands Prix remaining in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

His main rival throughout the race, Charles Leclerc, made life difficult for Norris, particularly from a strategic standpoint. Ferrari’s decision to start the Monegasque driver on soft tyres was a bold one, designed to help him take the lead off the line.

When asked whether he regretted not starting on the softs himself, Norris replied:

“I mean, I regret not putting in a perfect lap and going purple, purple, purple yesterday in qualifying. So, you know, you can’t ask these questions.

Lando Norris after the United States Grand Prix. Photo: RacePictures.

“You could do many different things. You never know what’s going to work out. I don’t think our strategy was wrong. I think we did a good job.”

Although there might have been a chance to get ahead of Leclerc earlier, that approach would have carried significant risk, something Norris and McLaren chose to avoid, a decision the Briton says he stands by.

“Potentially, we should have. We’ll look back and see if we should have just boxed as soon as we got ahead of Charles or tried an undercut and seen if that worked out. But it was a long way to go on the softs, and then you put yourself under Safety Car risk.

Lando Norris finished second to Max Verstappen in Texas. Photo: RacePictures

“So, you know, there are many different things that can go your way. Otherwise, I think we did a good job. I think we took the correct amount of risk for the position we’re in, and I’m happy and satisfied with the result, as much as I would have loved to be further up,” concluding Norris, revealing a pragmatic and mature approach to the championship fight.

Norris mounts attack on Piastri

Norris has dramatically reduced an over 50 points gap to teammate Oscar Piastri had down to just 14 points with five Grands Prix to go, with momentum being largely on the British McLaren driver's side. Can Piastri bounce back, or will Norris prolongue his streak of beating his Australian teammate?

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