Norris flags tyre warm-up risks for cold Las Vegas night race
Lando Norris warned that low temperatures in Las Vegas could make tyre warm-up extremely difficult for the 2026 cars, describing the prospect as potentially horrible. The comments followed a demanding Sao Paulo weekend with variable conditions and came alongside similar concerns from other drivers about Pirelli compounds.
Norris highlights cold-weather tyre challenge
Lando Norris warned after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix that low temperatures expected in Las Vegas could make tyre warm-up extremely difficult with the 2026 cars; he described the prospect as potentially horrible. [1]
The McLaren driver made the remarks following a weekend of changing conditions at Interlagos. Other drivers raised related concerns about the narrow operating window of Pirelli's wet-weather compounds. [2]
Context from recent races
Norris noted that tyres felt nasty when cold on laps to the grid and added that if temperatures cannot be reached in Las Vegas, a much better tyre would be needed. [1]
The Las Vegas race takes place at night in late November on street tarmac, where heat generation is already challenging even in dry conditions.
Related reading
- [1]Norris warns Las Vegas F1 could be 'horrible' as drivers raise tyre concerns (grandepremio). Accessed 2026-11-10.
- [2]F1 drivers slam 'dangerous' Pirelli rain tyres (newsonf1). Accessed 2026-11-10.