McLaren braces for tough 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix without victory hopes
McLaren is preparing for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix but does not expect to challenge for victory. Driver Lando Norris has already tipped Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari as the likely front-runners. The team faces a tough test after struggling in previous editions of the race.
The Las Vegas Strip Circuit has proven difficult for McLaren in recent years. In both 2023 and 2024, the team lacked the pace to compete at the front. Last year, Norris finished sixth, while teammate Oscar Piastri crossed the line in seventh. Qualifying also highlighted the gap, with McLaren trailing pole position by seven-tenths of a second.
Team principal Andrea Stella admitted that aerodynamic issues made the 2024 race one of the hardest of the season. The circuit demands a car with strong straight-line speed and mechanical grip, a balance McLaren has yet to perfect. Cold temperatures, expected to hover around 10°C (50°F), will add another layer of complexity. Pirelli’s selection of the C3, C4, and C5 tire compounds means managing tire temperatures will be critical.
Stella remains hopeful that lessons from past mistakes will improve McLaren’s performance in 2025. However, Norris has tempered expectations, acknowledging that the team is unlikely to fight for the win. Instead, the focus will be on closing the gap to the leading teams.
McLaren enters the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix with realistic goals. The team aims to address past weaknesses in aerodynamics and tire management. Meanwhile, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari are set to dominate based on current form and driver strength.
