Lando Norris was on a brilliant drive to his maiden victory in Formula 1 in 2021. However, as rains came crashing down at Sochi, so did all hopes of the McLaren driver. After the biggest upset for the Papaya army and the British driver, a P1 finish seems to have left Norris stranded. But two years past the detrimental lapse in strategy, Norris has been hailed as a US Grand Prix favorite against the ruthless Max Verstappen.

With the second sprint race of the month at the Circuit of Americas, F1 pundits and former drivers are starting to fear for Red Bull. Damon Hill, the 1996 champion, has harsh opinions on why the Austrian Outfit will face unforeseen circumstances. As the end credits for the season are just about to roll, McLaren is putting up a final fight to Red Bull.

Lando Norris, the biggest threat to Verstappen in the US Grand Prix

The British Outfit has pulled a massive turnaround. Amassing seventeen points in the opening 8 races, they scored a whopping 202 in the subsequent runs. The front-runner of this rally is Lando Norris. However, the potential world champion is still running a win-less engine. To add insult to injury, Norris has the most points in F1 history without a win, surpassing Nico Hulkenberg. However, after the teaser of the McLaren pace in the Qatar sprint, the stars have aligned for the British driver.

It is not as if the British driver has no talent as he likes to state in the interviews. Minor errors and race pace just shy of the winner puts him in second. However, the former F1 driver, Damon Hill, is here to lift the spirits of the McLaren driver and the Papaya army. For the 100th Grand Prix start for Norris, Hill sees a victory in his charts. According to Planet F1, he said, “I think Lando has got to win, He’s due [a win] isn’t he Lando? Sprint Lando, race is going to be Max.”

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The 1996 champion did not make an empty prediction. He brought out a fresh arsenal firing at Red Bull. He added, “But the thing that is interesting was the weak point, the Achilles’ heel if you can call it that at all, with this Red Bull and Max is when drivers are on their flat-out pace. And it seems to be evident that while their car is particularly good at saving tires over a long stint, the shorter the race, I think the more vulnerable the Red Bull is.” Resonating Hill’s predictions, Max Verstappen admitted that although he won the race in Qatar, pulling away from the pack was a failed task because of the mandatory three-stop strategy.

Lando Norris & Co. Reveal ‘Evolutionary’ Masterplan to Beat Max Verstappen as Elusive Glory Looks Within Reach

Nevertheless, Hill hailed Verstappen as a favorite to seal the victory in the US Grand Prix. The Dutch Driver and Co. are projected to break and make multiple records after a record-shattering performance so far.

Red Bull despite McLaren’s fears aiming at smashing records

The drivers’ and constructors’ championships are already wrapped up. What more is there to look for at and after the US Grand Prix? For starters, Red Bull could break Mercedes’s record of the most points in a season. The British Constructors have held the record since 2016 amassing a total of  765 points. Red Bull currently stands at 657 points. With five races to go, it is highly likely to have another record of their name.

However, to break the point tally, the heavy lifting by the three-time world champion will not be enough. With the speeding McLarens and Silverarrows, Sergio Perez needs to step up. Scoring a measly single point is as detrimental to the team as his future at Red Bull. On the contrary, Verstappen is set to take his 50th win, extending his record for most laps led in a single season. He has proved this season why his fans call him ‘Mad Max’.

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“We’re coming for Red Bull,” Lando Norris echoed on the radio after taking his back-to-back podium in Japan. With a significant pace disadvantage for Red Bull, the ball is, now in Norris’ court.