Red Bull Admits Surprise at Norris’s Shocking FP2 Pace in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Strip Circuit is famous for its unpredictability, and the second practice session for the 2025 Grand Prix proved to be no exception. In a session marred by disruptions and slippery conditions, McLaren’s Lando Norris threw down the gauntlet, delivering a blistering lap time that left the paddock—and specifically Red Bull’s Helmut Marko—taken aback.
With the championship battle reaching its fever pitch, Norris’s unexpected dominance has set the stage for a thrilling showdown in Sin City, contradicting McLaren’s own pre-weekend caution.
A Disrupted Session: Manhole Covers and Rain
Free Practice 2 was far from a straightforward affair. The session was severely disjointed by two red flag interruptions, both triggered by a suspected loose manhole cover at Turn 17. These stoppages critically limited running time, leaving teams scrambling to gather consistent data on the unique street circuit.
Adding to the chaos were the elements. Light rain fell between sessions, leaving the track cold and « green. » The lack of grip was evident as drivers struggled to keep their cars out of the barriers. Amidst this turmoil, Norris managed to clock a 1:33.602s on the soft C5 tyres before the red flags flew—a benchmark that would remain unbeaten.
This performance left the rest of the grid with a distorted picture of the true pecking order. Max Verstappen, who finished the session in P9 and over half a second adrift, admitted he was left « in the dark » regarding Red Bull’s true performance capabilities.
Marko’s Surprise vs. McLaren’s Caution
The speed shown by the MCL38 was particularly startling given the narrative leading into the weekend. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella had been notably cautious, citing the team’s struggles at the 2024 Las Vegas GP where tyre graining in cold conditions hampered their efforts.
« Vegas last year was one of the most difficult races, » Stella had warned, pointing to historical set-up issues.
However, the timesheets told a different story. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s notoriously candid advisor, did not hide his reaction when speaking to the media.
« I’m surprised by Norris’ time, » Marko admitted. « We still have to wait and see what engine settings they ran, and exactly how many kilos he had in the tank. »
While Marko remains skeptical of fuel loads and engine modes, his comments reveal a genuine concern: Red Bull did not expect their title rivals to be this fast, this early.
Uncertainty vs. Momentum
The contrast between the two title contenders could not be starker. McLaren arrives in Nevada riding a wave of massive momentum, with Norris boasting back-to-back victories in Mexico and Brazil to hold a commanding lead in the Drivers’ Championship.
Conversely, Red Bull appears to be grappling with setup headaches. Verstappen, known for extracting performance when it matters most, remained wary of the unique challenges posed by the Strip.
« It’s a lot colder here, and the surface is very slippery, so you cannot compare it to other tracks just because it’s low downforce, » Verstappen explained. « It’s not a given that you will be quick here. »
As the teams analyze the limited data from Friday, the narrative for the weekend has shifted. What was expected to be a struggle for McLaren has turned into a statement of intent, leaving Red Bull to play catch-up before qualifying.
Sources
- F1 Oversteer – Helmut Marko ‘surprised’ by what he saw Lando Norris do at the Las Vegas Grand Prix (Nov 21, 2025)
- Motorsport.com – F1 Las Vegas GP: Lando Norris tops red flag-interrupted second practice (Nov 21, 2025)
- Formula 1 – 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix FP2 report and highlights (Nov 21, 2025)
- Motorsport Week – Max Verstappen in the dark on Red Bull’s true pace after F1 Las Vegas GP practice (Nov 21, 2025)