Lando Norris rues 'shocking' high fuel performance in practice amid struggles with low grip in Las Vegas

Lando Norris appeared dissatisfied with the pace of his McLaren around the Las Vegas circuit as the slippery track surface left him struggling to find consistent speed in the opening practice sessions.

Coming off the back of an underwhelming P6 finish in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the Brit broke into the top three in both FP1 and FP2 at the Nevada track, improving his lap times by over two seconds across the evening.

FP2: Hamilton keeps Mercedes on top in second Las Vegas GP practice

In the second session, he found himself just 0.011s adrift of the fastest lap of the day set by Lewis Hamilton, but nevertheless predicted some challenges for the papaya team to address ahead of qualifying tomorrow.

With track temperatures on the colder side and the dusty surface evolving with every lap, there are a range of factors that the frontrunners will have to consider if they hope to be in the fight for pole position.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 21: Lando Norris driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) — Norris will be aiming to claim his eighth pole position of the season

After working on both qualifying simulations and long-run pace, Norris summarised: “I think the low fuel stuff’s been ok. The high fuel I was shocking. Plenty of things to look into – these kinds of combinations of things and what we struggle with, with the front graining and stuff… I’m just not very good at it.

“It’s always a bit of a struggle for me but a good amount of time to work on it. Two halves really – good low fuel and difficult high fuel. It’s just very difficult, super low grip. I feel like I could drive a road car quicker than we drive at the minute. Mixed feelings.”

Quizzed further on how fine margins come into play when dealing with graining on the tyres, the 25-year-old explained: “It can be. If I knew it, I’d probably do it! But even if I know it, it’s still not an easy thing for me to go and do because it’s a struggle for me always.

“I’ll look into it and see what I can work on. At least I can focus more on probably the high fuel than the low fuel for now. Obviously qualifying and qualifying well, and qualifying at the front, will always help everything else. Plenty of things to look into tonight.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 21: Oscar Piastri prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) — Piastri was 0.962s away from Norris's quickest time in FP2

His team mate Oscar Piastri similarly faced issues when it came to extracting a perfect lap time, finishing both of Thursday’s sessions in P8 with midfield drivers like Pierre Gasly and Kevin Magnussen above him.

“It was tough, very similar to last year I would say,” the Aussie said after FP2. “Every lap we do, the track’s getting better and better. We knew what to expect this time at least.

“It’s been an interesting day. I think the pace seems reasonable, just a bit of tidying up and if you don’t get the lap here then you quickly lose a lot of time with the track evolving so much. There’s definitely still a lot of positives but just needs tidying up.

“Mercedes have looked very quick today – very, very quick. Ferrari have been pretty strong as well but I think we’re definitely in the mix. I think Mercedes have had a pretty strong day but let’s see what happens tomorrow.”