Norris Settles for P8 in Austin Qualifying, Blames Himself for Late‑Track Limits
McLaren’s Lando Norris admitted a poor performance after a tough Q3, finishing eighth in Austin.
In a candid post‑session interview, McLaren driver Lando Norris admitted that he had not lived up to his own expectations in the third round of qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas. Per Formula1.com, Norris was forced to settle for eighth place – one spot behind teammate Oscar Piastri – after a late‑track run that was hampered by the circuit’s notorious limits and a lack of grip. Sky Sports echoed the sentiment, with the 24‑year‑old describing his performance as a “terrible job.”
Norris’s frustration stemmed largely from the track’s evolving conditions. The COTA circuit is known for its high‑speed sections that can become slippery as the session progresses, and the driver noted that the car’s tyres were struggling to maintain traction in the final laps. He also pointed out that the team’s setup, which had been optimised for the earlier part of the session, was not ideal for the later, hotter laps. The result left McLaren two places behind Piastri, who managed a solid P7, and the team’s hopes of a front‑row start were dashed.
While Norris’s self‑critique was harsh, it is not uncommon for drivers to be their own toughest critics, especially when the race weekend’s stakes are high. The Austin track has already proven to be a challenging venue for many teams, and the early-season performance will likely influence McLaren’s strategy moving forward. The team will need to address the late‑track grip issues if it wants to remain competitive in the upcoming races.
For Indian fans, the race will be available to stream on FanCode India starting at 10:00 PM IST, with live commentary in Hindi. The qualifying session, which concluded at 6:00 PM local time in Austin, will be replayed on the platform, giving viewers a chance to see Norris’s run in detail. McLaren’s performance in Austin will be closely watched as the season progresses, and fans can look forward to updates on the team’s adjustments in the next race weekend.
Source: Formula1.com, Sky Sports F1