Lando Norris claims USGP had 'Silverstone vibes' as F1 got "back to normal"

Crowds at the USGP — Photo: © LAT Images

Lando Norris

Norris claims USGP had 'Silverstone vibes' as F1 got "back to normal"

COTA welcomed 400,000 fans for the race last weekend

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Thursday 28 October 2021 11:39

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Lando Norris believes the atmosphere at the United States Grand Prix had "similar vibes to Silverstone".

F1 has struggled to crack the secret of endearing American fans to the sport, with races held in multiple locations over the duration of the world championship.

Circuit of the Americas boss Bobby Epstein noted the effect of Netflix series 'Drive to Survive' by explaining the show was "rocket fuel on a fire that was already burning".

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With 400,000 fans present to watch the sport's return to Austin after an enforced layoff due to Covid, Norris said: "It was epic.

"It is difficult when you are racing and focusing so much, but the in lap and the parade lap we did, it was pretty awesome to see how many people there were.

"Similar vibes to Silverstone with how many people there were in the grandstands and on the banks and stuff and very enthusiastic as well.

"Lovely to have them back and for them to come onto the track at the end, things seem a lot more back to normal and how F1 should be with more guests and media and VIPs back in the paddock, it feels more like F1 which was cool."

Netflix has made a "massive difference" - Norris

Fans were not only engaging with the sport at the circuit but there was engagement in the city of Austin itself with drivers being stopped for photographs and autographs during their time away from racing.

This is in stark contrast to when F1 originally started racing in Austin, where drivers could almost anonymously go about their business.

"It has been crazy like just away from the circuit, even in the hotel every morning and evening, they are waiting there so I feel like they never sleep, or they sleep in the lobby of the hotel," explained Norris.

"But I guess 'Drive to Survive' has made a massive difference in that respect, the number of fans here probably because of 'Drive to Survive' is probably a large percentage of it.

"We had a lot of fans last time. I feel like there is a lot more now than there were in 2019. I don't know if that is true or not.

"Definitely more in the normal environment of just walking around and in the hotel and so on, you feel like a lot more people around notice you in their McLaren or team tops.

"It is cool to see how much it has engaged people in America. It is pretty awesome."