Andreas Seidl: McLaren ready for 'interesting' challenge at F1 US Grand Prix in Austin

As things stand in the constructors' standings with four races remaining, McLaren have slipped to fifth, 13 points behind Alpine after a poor showing last time out at the Japanese Grand Prix where they only picked up one point, compared to the 19 of their rivals.

What makes things interesting at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend is that it is suited to Alpine with its high-speed and twisty circuit, unlike McLaren who have struggled on similar tracks.

Seidl though has by no means written off his team's chances in Austin, and said: "The track has some interesting features, such as elevation changes and wide turns with multiple overtaking lines.

"It will be important to balance the set-up between some of the corners and the speed needed for the straights.

"The United States Grand Prix is a favourite for many in the team, so we are all looking forward to the weekend - and giving Alex Palou an outing in the MCL36.

"It will be helpful to get to his feedback and support with setting up the car before Daniel is back in for FP2.

"We need to push as hard as we can to get fourth back in the Constructors' Championship," Seidl explained.

McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo finished fifth in 2021 plus has picked up two third places there during his Red Bull days, while teammate Lando Norris said he was excited to be back in Austin having claimed an eighth place in 2021.

"I'm buzzing to be back in Austin, it's such a great city to race in and the fans are always brilliant so it should be an exciting weekend," Norris said.

"The track is a fun one, with some cool features similar to tracks such as Suzuka so I'm looking forward to getting out there and seeing how the new regulation cars run.

"I've had points finishes both times I've raced there, so hopefully we can keep up the streak and get some valuable points in the Constructors' Championship," he added.