Lando Norris in the US paddock - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris acknowledges the hurdles challenging his pole position victory

01:06, 18 Oct

Updated: 02:54, 18 Oct

byLuke-John Buckle

Lando Norris has revealed one of the main factors that cost him pole position for the Sprint at Circuit of the Americas to Max Verstappen.

"I just caught a few bumps a little bit wrong."

- Lando Norris

Verstappen performed admirably to snatch pole position from McLaren, setting a 1:32.1, less than a tenth of a second quicker than Norris at the United States Grand Prix.

Norris explained after the session to F1 TV that managing the bumps was one of the aspects that lost him pole position.

The McLaren driver said: "Of course would have loved to be on pole, but not a surprise for us to be just a bit slower than the Red Bull lately, so still pretty happy.

"I don't know how much I was off by, but a little couple of things probably here and there I could have improved on, and just caught a few bumps a little bit wrong, but that's just the difficulty of this track. Otherwise all happy."

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

The margins were incredibly fine throughout Sprint Qualifying between the top two, with Oscar Piastri slightly further behind.

Norris admitted that qualifying has been a slight weakness for McLaren this year, but he is hopeful the British team can bounce back in the Sprint.

He said: "I certainly hope so [McLaren getting back ahead]. Normally our race pace is a bit better.

"We have struggled the whole year with our qualy pace, especially when it's close and it's been close today. So that's why I would say not a surprise but we have more hopes for the race we can get back ahead."

Norris is 22 points behind championship leader Piastri

There are six rounds to go in the world championship. Norris sits second in the standings behind Piastri, and Max Verstappen emerges as more of a factor.

Norris still has an opportunity to claw some points back in the Sprint, but Verstappen and Red Bull are quicker than before the summer break.

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