Lando Norris Fires Back at Loophole Allegations as McLaren Struggles Under the Las Vegas Lights
McLaren’s underwhelming qualifying performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix has ignited swirling allegations about the team exploiting loopholes in Formula 1 regulations for 2024. But Lando Norris is having none of it. The Briton fired back at claims that McLaren’s pace woes stem from dubious tactics, including a rumored use of water vapor for tire cooling.
Norris’s Sharp Retort: “Maybe It’s the Water in the Tires”
When asked about the speculation, Norris didn’t hold back, delivering a sarcastic quip that underscored his frustration.
“I know, it’s incredible. Especially because we have the fastest car by a mile, right? Weird. Maybe it’s the water in the tires or something,” Norris told reporters, addressing the unfounded accusations with biting humor.
The rumors come after McLaren was previously embroiled in controversy earlier this season over its rear wing design, which was found to incorporate a ‘mini DRS’ mechanism. That issue forced revisions to the car, but Norris dismissed the ongoing chatter with an air of resignation.
“All of this stuff, you know. They’re right about everything,” he said sarcastically, clearly fed up with the spotlight on McLaren’s technical innovations.
McLaren’s Low Grip Struggles: “It Doesn’t Suit Us”
While Norris deflected the regulatory drama, he didn’t shy away from analyzing McLaren’s disappointing Las Vegas showing. Norris qualified P6, nearly seven-tenths behind pole-sitter George Russell, with teammate Oscar Piastri trailing in P8. It marked the team’s worst starting grid positions since becoming a front-running contender earlier this season.
According to Norris, the low-grip conditions of the Vegas Strip Circuit exposed McLaren’s lingering vulnerabilities.
“It just doesn’t suit our characteristic of car,” he admitted. “We have to drive the car on the perfect limit if we want to be quick. Every lap, there’s another issue or a different issue. It was just too much of a challenge.”
McLaren’s difficulties in navigating the tricky track conditions were compounded by a lack of clean laps and the high-risk nature of the street circuit.
“A mistake around here can easily be one-tenth, two-tenths gone,” Norris explained. “It was just too difficult to put a clean lap in because I’m trying to go quicker, but at the same time, I’m trying to not make any mistake.”
“No Magic” Coming McLaren’s Way
Norris also dismissed the idea that McLaren’s problems were tied to tire preparation, instead pointing to the car’s inherent balance issues.
“I did the warm-up, push, and no magic came our way,” he said. “It’s not tires, it’s not because they’re too hot or too cold or all of this nonsense. Or the water. It’s just our car doesn’t suit these conditions.”
The Briton acknowledged that McLaren had been outpaced by its rivals in every phase of qualifying, regardless of strategy.
“Nothing’s changed from yesterday. Others have turned up, gone lower fuel, and things like that,” Norris noted. “I don’t expect anything magical, for sure.”
The Path Ahead: McLaren Looks Beyond Vegas
Despite the disappointing result, Norris remained optimistic about the team’s overall trajectory, even as the Las Vegas GP serves as a harsh reality check for McLaren’s late-season form.
“I mean, we’ll be optimistic and we’ll look ahead to what we can achieve,” he said.
The team’s struggles at low-grip circuits like Las Vegas reveal an Achilles’ heel that McLaren must address as it gears up for the 2024 season. For now, though, Norris and McLaren are focused on damage limitation and making the most of Sunday’s race.