P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris faces falling further behind Max Verstappen in the F1 drivers’ title.
Lando Norris expressed frustration over his performance during the sprint qualifying at Circuit of the Americas, landing him in fourth place on the starting grid for the sprint race. The risk of Max Verstappen extending his lead in the F1 drivers’ standings looms as Verstappen secured pole position for the sprint race ahead of the United States Grand Prix. McLaren’s MCL38 showed signs of instability during practice sessions, affecting not only Norris but also causing issues for Oscar Piastri, who starts P16. Despite struggling with the car’s balance and setup, Norris managed to secure an underwhelming P4, acknowledging it was not a great day for him overall. With uncertainties surrounding McLaren’s upgrades and limited data due to the sprint format, Norris is unsure of his race pace and potential for improvement during the sprint race.