United States GP 2026: Norris, Piastri air McLaren concerns

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri voiced concern over McLaren’s pace in Austin, with Norris eighth in qualifying and Piastri seventh at COTA.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both raised concerns about McLaren’s form during the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin. Formula1.com reported that Norris said the car was not quick enough after a difficult event, while Autosport and Motorsport.com both reported that he criticised his own qualifying performance after ending up eighth on the grid.

Piastri qualified seventh, one place ahead of Norris. Motorsport.com also reported that Piastri pointed to the bumps at the Circuit of the Americas as a potential overtaking hazard, and the same outlet reported that Norris finished fifth in the race.

Norris came into the weekend sixth in the drivers’ championship on 211 points, with Piastri seventh on 144. Norris has 11 Formula 1 wins and 16 pole positions from 161 Grands Prix for McLaren, while Piastri had made 79 starts for the team in Formula 1.