JUST IN: Norris and Verstappen Lead the Front Row as Thrilling.....

Norris and Verstappen Lead the Front Row as Thrilling U.S. Grand Prix Awaits

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen will start on the front row at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, setting the stage for an exciting battle for the championship. Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who occupy the second row, could play pivotal roles in what promises to be a thrilling race.

Norris expressed that his pole lap felt like one of his best but acknowledged concerns about Verstappen’s pace prior to George Russell’s crash, which abruptly ended qualifying. With Verstappen holding a 54-point lead over Norris with only six races left in the season, the importance of each point is magnified, as there is a 14-point swing between finishing first and second.

Ferrari’s strong performance during the Sprint Race, where Verstappen took victory with Norris finishing third, adds another layer of intrigue to the title battle. “I don’t want to do it again!” Norris half-joked about tire wear after being overtaken by Sainz on the final lap and nearly colliding with Leclerc. He reflected on the team’s progress, saying, “I think we improved the car quite a bit. We were definitely not contending anywhere close to pole on Friday, but we kind of did today.”

Norris mentioned that while McLaren may still be a bit off the pace, their performance in relation to Verstappen has improved since earlier in the weekend. He noted that he expected Ferrari and Mercedes to be quicker but felt they had caught up somewhat, thanks to the set-up changes made after the Sprint. “Ferrari were very quick in the race today with the degradation. Max is Max; they’re going to be fast. I’m excited for the battle,” he stated.

Entering the weekend, Norris believed McLaren would be as competitive as they were in Singapore, where he secured a dominant win. However, the newly resurfaced Circuit of the Americas posed challenges, with Norris struggling for front tire grip during the Sprint. To address this, McLaren made adjustments to the car’s setup after the Sprint, hoping it would enhance tire management for the main race.

Verstappen, meanwhile, remains confident despite starting in second. He noted that the last three U.S. Grands Prix have seen the driver starting second lead after Turn One, which bodes well for his chances. Verstappen has also emphasized the importance of tire wear over starting position, recalling his previous success from P6 last year. “I just hope that I can be in the fight. The last few races it felt like my hands were tied behind my back, so hopefully, that will be different tomorrow,” he said.

Norris has been steadily gaining points on Verstappen over the past four races, but Red Bull appears more competitive now than they have been since the summer break. The team brought a new floor edge and engine cover to Austin, enhancing Verstappen’s confidence in the car’s performance. “I think we made the car more stable, which helps in attacking corners better,” he explained.

Oscar Piastri, Norris’ McLaren teammate, will start fifth, meaning Verstappen might find himself behind Piastri after his pit stop, depending on the race strategy. While race scenarios will dictate much of the action, it wouldn’t be surprising to see McLaren employing team tactics at some point. Conversely, Red Bull is unlikely to implement such strategies, as Sergio Perez starts in 10th due to a lap time deletion in Q3.

With the championship battle heating up, the U.S. Grand Prix is set to be a critical event in the 2024 Formula 1 season. All eyes will be on the front runners as they vie for vital points in what promises to be an exhilarating race in Austin.