The McLaren garage is buzzing with confidence as the Formula 1 circus arrives in Austin for the United States Grand Prix, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri revealing they've never felt better prepared to take the fight to their rivals.
A New Level of Performance
Fresh from impressive performances in previous races, both drivers are speaking with renewed optimism about their chances at the Circuit of the Americas. The McLaren MCL38, benefiting from recent upgrades, appears to have found a sweet spot that could see the team emerge as genuine contenders for podium positions.
"We're in a much better place than we were 12 months ago," Norris confirmed, reflecting on the team's remarkable progress. "The car is performing consistently across different circuits, which gives us real confidence heading into this weekend."
Piastri's American Ambition
Australian teammate Oscar Piastri echoed Norris's positive outlook, highlighting the specific characteristics of the Austin circuit that could play to McLaren's strengths. "The high-speed sections and elevation changes here should suit our package well," Piastri noted. "We've shown we can compete at the front, and there's no reason we can't do that again this weekend."
Technical Edge in Texas
The Circuit of the Americas presents unique challenges with its combination of technical corners and long straights. McLaren's engineering team has been working tirelessly to optimise the car's setup for these specific conditions, with early indications suggesting they've found a competitive configuration.
Norris, who has secured multiple podium finishes this season, believes the team's development trajectory puts them in a strong position: "Every upgrade we've brought has worked as expected. We're closing the gap race by race, and that's incredibly motivating for everyone in the team."
The Red Bull Challenge
While acknowledging Red Bull's continued dominance, both drivers expressed belief that McLaren can apply significant pressure on the championship leaders. The high-temperature conditions expected in Texas could also play into the hands of teams that have managed their tyre degradation effectively.
"We know we have the pace to worry them," Piastri stated confidently. "The key will be putting together the perfect qualifying and then executing in the race. The margins are small, but we're ready for the challenge."
As the Formula 1 world descends on Austin, all eyes will be on whether McLaren can convert their promising pace into a breakthrough victory on American soil.
