Norris Tops Timesheets but Keeps Title Expectations in Check
McLaren's Lando Norris has positioned himself at the head of the field after the curtailed second practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, though the British driver remains steadfastly cautious about his championship prospects. Despite holding a 24-point lead over teammate Oscar Piastri and a 49-point advantage over Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Norris is refusing to be drawn into premature celebration.
'The Title Can Easily Go the Opposite Way'
With only 83 points remaining available across the final three races of the season, the mathematics favour the 26-year-old Briton. However, having staged a remarkable comeback from being 34 points behind Piastri after August's Dutch Grand Prix, Norris understands how quickly fortunes can change in Formula 1.
"It can easily just go the opposite way again as much as I don't want it to," Norris stated. "That's racing. You can also have luck. You can also be unlucky. There's really no point getting excited or thinking about it. I still do see it as something that's quite distant."
Unmoved by Boos and Focused on Performance
Norris has found his strongest form during the championship's crucial closing stages, securing victories in both Mexico and Brazil. Interestingly, his recent successes have been met with some disapproval from sections of the crowd, resulting in boos during podium ceremonies.
The McLaren driver remains philosophical about the mixed reception. "When you're on top, a lot of people want to bring you down. They don't want to see you winning," he commented. "When I was on the podium in Brazil, I really loved it. You finally feel like you're doing something right."
McLaren Faces Vegas Challenge
The Las Vegas circuit presents a particular challenge for McLaren, sharing characteristics with tracks in Canada and Baku where the team has previously struggled to secure podium finishes. The combination of low downforce, cool temperatures and low grip doesn't play to the car's strengths.
In the more representative night running of FP2, Norris demonstrated impressive pace to top the timesheets ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, while Piastri could only manage 14th position. The session was cut short by approximately 20 minutes due to safety checks for a reported loose manhole cover at turn 17, recalling similar issues that disrupted the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023.
Meanwhile, in other Formula 1 news, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has sold a 15% stake in his holding company, representing a 5% share in the team, to American billionaire George Kurtz, CEO of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. The transaction values the Mercedes team at a record £4.57 billion for an F1 outfit.
