Lando Norris claimed second place in Austin’s Sprint Qualifying, but the British driver faces a tricky scenario: while keeping an eye on Max Verstappen ahead, he must also defend against Oscar Piastri closing in from behind. The Sprint race could force him into a delicate balance between attacking and defending.
The McLaren driver started strongly in SQ1, posting a fourth-fastest time. On his second attempt, Norris improved significantly, moving up to P1, just two-tenths off Verstappen’s pace. In SQ2, a single clean run was enough for him to take the provisional lead, showing strong form without needing a second attempt.
His good momentum continued into SQ3, where Lando Norris initially set provisional pole. However, the Red Bull driver ultimately snatched the top spot by just a few thousandths, leaving Norris in second.
It was a solid performance from the 1999-born driver, who must now work to close the gap to Piastri ahead while also keeping Verstappen at bay.
“I don’t know exactly how much time I left on the track. There are a couple of things I could have done better,” Norris said in post-qualifying interviews. “I definitely took a few curbs the wrong way, but that’s the challenge of this track. Aside from that, I’m happy.”
The British driver also acknowledged Red Bull’s strength but emphasized that the Sprint race still offers a chance for victory. “Normally we can do a bit better,” he explained. “We’ve struggled all year, especially in qualifying — we’re close, but never quite enough. I’m not too surprised by today’s result, but I hope tomorrow we can be a bit stronger and fight for the win.”
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