P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren boss Andrea Stella has expressed being faster than Red Bull provided a “reassuring” aspect amid the team’s setback at F1’s United States Grand Prix.
The McLaren team headed over to Austin last weekend, arriving with a recent track record of winning three out of four races since the summer pause and bringing fresh updates to their MCL38. However, at the Circuit of the Americas, McLaren’s performance was not as strong as usual, with neither driver reaching the podium for the first time in 14 races. Despite Lando Norris initially finishing third, an overtaking move on Max Verstappen beyond track limits resulted in a penalty, pushing him back a position. This setback proved costly for Norris’s championship aspirations, as Verstappen widened his lead by 57 points. Nevertheless, McLaren’s team principal, Stella, remains optimistic about their chances, highlighting McLaren’s race pace superiority over Red Bull as a positive sign. Looking ahead, both McLaren and Red Bull are preparing for Ferrari’s continued strong showing in the upcoming race in Mexico, expecting the competition to intensify.
