Could Norris have fought Verstappen for US GP victory?

Max Verstappen cruised to victory in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix, but Lando Norris demonstrated strong potential to challenge the Red Bull driver. Despite qualifying slower, McLaren's car strength in managing rear tyre thermal degradation on the Circuit of The Americas was expected to be an advantage. Norris, had he not been held up behind Charles Leclerc early in the race, might have posed a more significant threat to Verstappen, suggesting a slightly different race dynamic could have led to a closer fight for the win.