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
The best social media from Day 4 in Barcelona
Alpine clarify rumours over Horner interest
See the 2026 cars emerge on track for the first time
The best social media from Day 2 in Barcelona
ExplainedAll you need to know about F1 aerodynamics for 2026
Hamilton buoyed by ‘really productive’ start in Barcelona
