Martin Brundle explains why there’s a feeling of ‘nervousness’ at McLaren at the Las Vegas Grand Prix

Lando Norris may be too out of reach to win the drivers’ championship in 2024, but McLaren still has a great chance of winning some silverware.

The Woking-based team have enjoyed a huge upturn in form in recent months. Looking like a midfield team, or even a backmarker at the start of 2023, McLaren now finds itself regularly competing for podiums and race victories.

For much of the 2024 season, the team has arguably had the fastest car as it – along with Ferrari and Mercedes – have taken a big step forward to challenge Red Bull, who have seen their performance dip this year despite the fact that Max Verstappen seems ready to do so. win his fourth consecutive title.

This will certainly feel like a missed opportunity in the drivers’ championship given the advantage McLaren has had for months. But there is yet another trophy to fight for and one that is well within the Woking-based team’s reach.

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Martin Brundle says McLaren is ‘nervous’ about previous Las Vegas result as it fights for constructors’ title

The consistency shown by Norris and Oscar Piastri in 2024 has put McLaren at the top of the constructors’ championship with 36 points heading into the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Fans will have to go back to 1998 for the last time McLaren brought the constructors’ title back to Woking. But there will be doubts about which team heads to Las Vegas as Norris said he was “not very good” in practice.

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The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix was an unforgettable one for McLaren, as Norris crashed on lap three while Piastri managed to finish 10th after starting 18th.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1 ahead of FP1 in Las Vegas, Martin Brundle feels a sense of “nervousness” around McLaren after their poor result there last year and how things can change quickly with Red Bull and Ferrari if close behind.

“The last time they were in the lead with three races to go, in 2008, they lost. Ferrari overtook them,” he said.

“McLaren comes here quite nervous actually, because we saw Lando on lap three have a huge crash here where the car bottomed out, there was no grip and he went off.

“And they know how quickly the situation can change. So suddenly, remember Sergio Pérez was strong here last year, all it takes is one (strong result) from both Red Bull drivers at the end of the Grand Prix and it will turn things around again.

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Can McLaren retain its first constructor’s title in 26 years?

Even though it was many years ago, McLaren has been in this position before and lost the title, so they will be eager to clinch the championship this time around.

Red Bull will present a fierce challenge to the Woking-based team as they sit third on 49 points with three races remaining. Verstappen and Sergio Perez were strong in Las Vegas last year and a big points haul for the team will put them in a good position to retain their title.

Interestingly, Brundle didn’t mention Ferrari, which is McLaren’s closest rival in second place. The Maranello team has also shown good pace on the street circuit in 2023 and their improved performance will certainly put pressure on McLaren.

But the consistency of Norris and Piastri will be hard to beat in the final three races, all three arguably suited to the nature of the MCL38. Piastri says McLaren has reverted to its original ‘papaya rules’, so it is expected the Australian will be allowed to attack and challenge his teammate and rivals for victory.