Mclaren Optimistic Ahead of 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix After Disappointing 2024 Performance
McLaren is determined to avoid a repeat of their shocking performance at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, where both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggled to break into the top five, finishing more than 40 seconds behind race winner George Russell. Team principal Andrea Stella is confident that lessons learned from last year will lead to improved results as they prepare for the Circuit of the Americas.
McLaren’s 2024 Las Vegas Struggles
Lando Norris was notably frustrated following practice for the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, describing the driving experience as “super low grip” and suggesting he could drive a standard road car faster. During the race, both Norris and Piastri faced significant challenges, particularly with tyre graining on Pirelli rubber. The duo failed to qualify within seven-tenths of the front runners, marking one of McLaren’s weakest outings of the season.
Race Day Disappointments
Despite Norris clinching the fastest lap point with a late pit stop, the team’s overall performance was lackluster, with both drivers finishing far behind Russell. The results came at a crucial juncture in the championship, with Max Verstappen closing the gap to the McLaren racers in the drivers’ standings, now within 40 points.
Looking Ahead: A New Approach
Andrea Stella, the McLaren team principal, expressed optimism regarding the upcoming race in 2025. “Vegas has proven to be a challenge for McLaren overall,” he acknowledged, but stressed the importance of adapting strategies based on last year’s issues. With an anticipated decrease in tyre graining this year, Stella believes McLaren can exploit the potential of their car better than before.
Focused on Extracting Performance
Stella confirmed that the team will prioritize optimising their car’s performance in the next four races. Having struggled at various circuits this season, the aim is to ensure Norris and Piastri can fully exploit the capabilities of their vehicle. “If anything, we need to make sure we’re in a position to extract the full performance,” Stella remarked, reflecting on their recent successes, particularly in Mexico.
Conclusion: A Crucial Moment for McLaren
As McLaren gears up for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, all eyes will be on them to see if they can turn around their fortunes from the previous year. With strategic adjustments and a clearer understanding of tyre performance, fans and analysts alike will be looking for a significant improvement on race day.
