MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: Did Norris have the raw pace to fight Verstappen for victory in Austin?
Max Verstappen cruised to victory in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix, but could Lando Norris have made his life more difficult without getting stuck behind Charles Leclerc?


Max Verstappen’s United States Grand Prix win was resounding, but Lando Norris showed that with a slightly different set of circumstances he could have been fighting the Red Bull driver for that victory.
Although Norris had qualified only second to Verstappen, over 0.35s slower, the way the Circuit of The Americas induces heavy thermal degradation of the rear tyres was expected to play to the key strength of Norris’ McLaren in the race.
Next Up
Related Articles
ExclusiveLowdon on why Zhou ‘ticked all the boxes’ for Cadillac
Williams confirm Martins as test and development driver
Bottas on how F1 drivers will adapt to the 2026 regulations
Who are the 2026 F1 teams?
Audi run 2026 car on track for the first time
Verstappen on what he would never do as an F1 team boss
