Lando Norris acknowledged that he is “not really looking forward” to the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to McLaren’s poor track record at the event over the last two years.

The British driver pointed to McLaren’s difficulties in the cooler night conditions, where their car has struggled to get tires into the optimal temperature window — a problem that has hampered the team’s pace.

Norris admitted last year was their worst weekend there, with qualifying and race performances well below rivals like Mercedes and Red Bull, leading to disappointing results for both himself and teammate Oscar Piastri.​

McLaren’s Performance Challenges on The Strip

At the 2023 Las Vegas GP, McLaren started deep in the field, with Norris qualifying 16th and Piastri 19th. They finished sixth and tenth, respectively, but the team was still well behind the winning pace, battling tire and aerodynamic issues inherent to the unique street circuit layout.

These issues reappeared in 2024, with McLaren again slow and struggling to keep up with front-runners. Norris highlighted that despite overall progress this season, the team remains vulnerable to losing ground in Las Vegas due to cooler air temperatures and the demanding nature of the strip circuit, which compounds their existing weaknesses.​

Looking Ahead to Qatar and Abu Dhabi

While Norris voiced concerns about Las Vegas, he remains optimistic about the closing races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

He pointed out that those upcoming rounds better suit McLaren’s package and are races he is genuinely looking forward to. Despite the dip in pace expected in Vegas, the team continues to work hard on improvements and is aiming to bounce back strong in the final triple-header of the season.

For Norris, it’s a matter of managing expectations and focusing on tracks where McLaren has a clearer chance to maximize points and potentially secure the drivers' championship.