Norris says McLaren difficult to maximise in Austin practice
Lando Norris said McLaren’s car was hard to extract performance from during the opening day of running for the United States Grand Prix in Austin. Despite some signs of pace, he said the team was still a step behind and needed near-perfect execution to make the car quick.
After Friday running in Austin, Lando Norris said McLaren’s car was very difficult to maximise. Formula1.com reported that he was left frustrated by the MCL40’s handling on the first day, even though there were signs of pace.
Speaking after practice, Norris said McLaren has to try very hard to be perfect to make the car quick, adding that “you cannot be perfect.” He also said the team is “just a step behind.”
Autosport said Norris’s two mid-season wins now look more like a purple patch than the start of a broader turnaround, following McLaren’s troubled beginning to the 2026 season. It also reported that the team is working toward its final upgrades of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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