Lando Norris has acknowledged that although his race starts have generally improved this season, his approach to the opening corner in Las Vegas is something he intends to learn from. Speaking ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint weekend, the McLaren driver reflected on his battle off the line against Max Verstappen.
In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Norris admitted that his attempt to hold off Verstappen from pole position did not go as planned. The Las Vegas start had been a key talking point even before his later disqualification from the event.
Norris described the moment as “pretty embarrassing,” explaining that he had been overly aggressive in defending his position. His determination to keep Verstappen behind led him to push harder than necessary into the first turn.
That bold move ultimately backfired, as he braked too late while trying to stay ahead of the Red Bull. The misjudgment opened the door not only for Verstappen to get past but also allowed George Russell to slip through at the following corner.
Despite the setback, Norris views the episode as a valuable learning opportunity. He expressed confidence that understanding what went wrong in that crucial moment will help him refine his racecraft for future wheel-to-wheel starts.
About the Author
