In a thrilling display of Formula 1 racing, Lando Norris openly admits he’s not shocked to miss out on Sprint pole in Austin, but don’t think for a second he’s giving up. The McLaren star will start Saturday’s Sprint in second place, with teammate Oscar Piastri hot on his heels in third. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite a strong showing throughout Friday’s practice and qualifying sessions, Norris couldn’t quite edge out Max Verstappen, who snatched pole by a razor-thin 0.071-second margin. ‘It’s not a surprise to be a bit slower than Red Bull lately,’ Norris candidly shared, though he remains optimistic about reclaiming the lead during the Sprint. And this is the part most people miss: Norris believes McLaren’s race pace could be their secret weapon, especially after a year of struggling with qualifying speed. Could this be the turning point? Meanwhile, Piastri, who secured third place, admitted his lap was ‘a bit scruffy’ but is confident he can clean it up for the race. As the 100-kilometer Sprint looms, all eyes are on the starting grid—will Norris and Piastri capitalize on their positions, or will Verstappen’s dominance continue? Is McLaren’s race pace enough to challenge Red Bull, or is Verstappen simply unstoppable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
