# Lando Norris and McLaren performance at US Grand Prix

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/lando-norris-and-mclaren-performance-at-us-grand-prix
> Updated: 2026-10-25T12:58:00.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2.

During qualifying for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, Lando Norris secured eighth place on the grid. Norris reported significant frustration after a track limits violation at Turn 19 resulted in the deletion of his fastest Q3 lap, which he believed would have secured a second-place start.

Norris characterized the McLaren MCL40 as “easily the hardest car I’ve ever driven in my life,” noting that while the vehicle possesses strong rhythm, it is extremely difficult to handle consistently. He specifically identified struggles in the third sector, describing the car's performance in slow-speed sections as “dreadful.”

Following the race, Norris concluded that the team has regressed to being the “fourth fastest competitor in Formula 1.” Despite a one-stop strategy, Norris finished in fifth place, while teammate Oscar Piastri finished seventh. Norris noted that although the car showed pace on hard tires, he had to push the equipment beyond its ideal limits to contend for a podium, ultimately being overtaken by Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton.

Team principal Andrea Stella addressed the strategic decision to issue team orders, requesting Oscar Piastri to let Lando Norris pass on lap eight. Stella explained that Norris demonstrated superior adaptability to the track's changing conditions, whereas Piastri struggled to maintain pace. The team identified qualifying performance, car predictability, and grip in slow corners as primary areas for improvement as they seek to resolve technical limitations.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: McLaren faces performance challenges at US Grand Prix

McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri face performance struggles at the US Grand Prix, with the team identifying qualifying pace and car predictability as key areas for improvement.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lando-norris-qualifies-p8-for-us-grand-prix

### 2026-10-23: Lando Norris qualifies eighth for US Grand Prix after track limits error

Lando Norris qualified eighth for the US Grand Prix after a track limits penalty erased a potential second-place lap, calling the McLaren MCL40 the most difficult car of his career.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/formula-1-development-race-intensifies-as-mclaren-faces-red-bull-resurgence

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Cite as: Lando Norris and McLaren performance at US Grand Prix. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/lando-norris-and-mclaren-performance-at-us-grand-prix