Lando Norris qualified eighth in the United States Grand Prix qualifying, the Brit struggling with his MCL40 throughout the session.
COTA proved challenging for drivers across the grid in qualifying, with a mix of track limits and performance issues for various teams.
Despite Ferrari leading all three practice sessions, the Maranello duo struggled for pace in one-lap shootouts. Similarly, both McLarens lacked the pace they hoped for in qualifying.
Norris was visibly frustrated after the session, telling the media, including Motorsport Week, that he did a ‘terrible job’. However, he didn’t blame track limits.
“Not at all. It’s fine,” Norris told the media when he was asked if track limits were a problem. “I just did a terrible job today, so I’m not very happy with myself.”
When asked to specify the issues, he bluntly said: “Just a mixture of everything, honestly.”
Lando Norris rues potential lost grid position
The reigning champion was certain that even a second-place start was on the table, which only added to his frustrations. He even called the MCL40 the ‘hardest car’ he’s ever driven.
“It’s easily the hardest car I’ve ever driven in my life, but it was still easily good enough for P2 today, so it’s just disappointing, really.
“The car was quick; it’s just nasty to drive. I saw a good result; it’s possible. I think I still have faith that we can get a good result tomorrow.”
Race pace and qualifying are very different in the machinery, and Norris seemed more hopeful that the car’s long-distance pace is better than qualifying.
Yet he was cautious about how hard overtaking would be around COTA.
“I don’t know how easy it’s going to be to overtake and things like that. But, for a lot of the track, we seem on par.
“We struggle a lot in sector three, and there’s very slow speed. We’re pretty dreadful, honestly. But tomorrow is a new day.”
McLaren brought an upgrade package to the United States, hoping to reduce the gap and change the top three. While Mercedes led the first half of the season, the tide has shifted with Red Bull and Ferrari both contending at the front.
Despite the changes, the Brit seemed dejected, describing getting the perfect lap as ‘impossible’.
“We try and improve it every time. We improve the car, we bring upgrades,” Norris said.
“But it’s something we’re not completely… I don’t know, it might be that the car is just not quick enough and therefore there’s always hope that I can do a mega lap and I can be P1.
“But you improve three corners, and the other three are a nightmare all of a sudden. It’s just impossible. It’s an impossible car to achieve the perfection that I want to achieve at the minute.
“Which is a struggle, because I want to go for pole, and I need to tell myself to settle for a P5, and I don’t want to do that.”
Norris and the MCL40 were not in harmony during qualifying in Austin. The race looks set to be an equally difficult challenge for the reigning world champion.
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