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Formula 1 United States GP

Norris says Austin was “momentum killer” for F1 title hopes

A downcast Lando Norris feels difficult United States Grand Prix has taken the wind out of his sails

Jonathan Noble
Jonathan Noble
Edited:
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates on arrival in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, wave to the crowd on the drivers' parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
A Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader on the grid for the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Gene Haas, Owner and Founder, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber and Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, arrives at the track

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Franco Colapinto, Williams Racing on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team, ahead of the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, wave at the crowds

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, embraces a trackside volunteer ahead of the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari and Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team,

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, climbs into his car

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Nara Smith and Lucky Blue Smith for Aston Martin Pirelli hot laps

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, talk in the Paddock

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team and George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team and Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Joe Rogan in McLaren garage

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Jenson Button, Sky F1 and Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders visit the Haas F1 Team garage

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Chef Gordon Ramsay ahead of an Aston Martin Pirelli Hot Laps experience

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Golfer Ian Poulter poses in front of the car of Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, on the grid with an engineer

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, on the grid with his engineer

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, removes his helmet

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team,

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Mechanics push Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, to his grid slot

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Mechanics push Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, to his grid slot

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Liam Lawson, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, the rest of the field a

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, the remainder of the field at the start

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, the rest of the field on the opening lap

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, runs wide as Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, spins and Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46, Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team VCARB 01 pass

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, as Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, runs off the circuit

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, spins as Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, runs wide

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, spins as Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, avoids him

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, Alex Albon, Williams FW46

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, retires from the race in the gravel after a spin

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, is given a ride back to the pits after spinning out and retiring from the race

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
The safety car Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, the rest of the field

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, the rest of the field on the opening lap

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24, battles with Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Alex Albon, Williams FW46, makes a pit stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20 after making a pit stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, leaves his pit box after a stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, makes a pit stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, leaves the pits after a stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, the rest of the field

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, battles with Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates with his teammates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates with his team in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates with his teammates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, celebrates with his teammates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, congratulate each other in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, lifts the trophy in celebration

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, lifts his trophy

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, lifts his trophy

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, celebrate on the podium with Champagne

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, sprays Champagne on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, cheer with their champagne bottles on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates on the podium with Champagne

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
The Champagne and trophy for Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, in the the post race press conference

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
91

Lando Norris labelled his United States Grand Prix weekend a "momentum killer" for his Formula 1 title hopes after losing ground to Max Verstappen.

The McLaren driver had gone into the Austin event 52 points behind his Red Bull rival and well aware that, with time running out, he needed to start cutting the deficit dramatically.

But rather than continuing to close down the margin, Norris actually lost five more points after being classified behind Verstappen in both the sprint and the grand prix.

His efforts on Sunday though were not helped by a controversial five-second penalty for overtaking off the track that dropped him from third on the road ahead of Verstappen to behind his rival.

Asked how much the weekend had impacted his title prospect, Norris said: "I mean, quite a bit. It's a momentum killer.

"But we came in here with our mind open, not expecting to dominate or just win or anything. The fact that Ferrari was so quick showed they're just as competitive.

"Even if I had come around Turn 1 in first, I would never have finished first or second and only could have finished third.

"The one guy I needed to beat was Max, and that's the guy I didn't beat. So, it was an unsuccessful weekend all in all.

"But we gave it a good shot. I tried. It wasn't good enough, and we have work to do, and I've work to do on myself."

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

While McLaren's form in the United States was not as good as it has been in recent race weekends, team boss Andrea Stella said he was not surprised that things were more difficult this time out.

He said that the contrast in pace, between dominating in Singapore in the last race and being on the back foot a little in Austin, was down to track characteristics.

"Compared to Singapore here, there's quite a lot more low-speed braking into low-speed corners, plus wind, and we know that in these conditions, not necessarily our car performs at the best.

"It is not as good as in some medium speed corners, low wind conditions, which we had in Singapore, we had in Zandvoort, and we had in Hungary.

"We know that these three venues that I've just mentioned do suit our car, but here I would have expected this event to be the most difficult of the remaining six events."

Stella also thinks it important to understand that Ferrari's dominant form in Austin was not a big shock, because analysis of recent races shows that perhaps the Italian squad had not maximised its chances before.

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"They have been quick over the previous races pretty consistently," he added. "If anything, they have not been capable of maximising their potential.

"In Baku, Leclerc, in fairness, was definitely in condition to win the race. In Singapore, we were expecting Leclerc to be competitive for pole position and the same in the race. So, we are not surprised that Ferrari is so close.

"I think the next circuits should be more suitable to the characteristics of our car. We also have to keep developing the car.

"Here, we took some developments to the front of the car, but they were nothing too large in terms of potential lap time impact. We have a couple more things that are coming in the next two races, and we will see if we are in a condition to alter the competitiveness of the car."

Additional reporting by Alex Kalinauckas

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