Lando Norris’ dominant drive at the Mexico City Grand Prix has reignited his Formula 1 world title ambitions, propelling him back to the top of the championship standings and reaffirming McLaren’s supremacy this season.
The 25-year-old Briton produced a flawless performance, leading from start to finish and fending off any potential challenges from rivals. His victory marked a crucial moment in the season’s closing stages, restoring his momentum after losing the lead to teammate Oscar Piastri earlier this year.
Norris’ latest success comes amid an impressive run of form, which has seen him claw back 35 points on Piastri since his retirement at the Dutch Grand Prix in August due to a fuel-line failure.
Confidence Restored After a Season of Ups and Downs
“It gives me confidence,” said Norris after his commanding win. “One race performing well I don’t think means anything. Two, three, or four in a row does. The last few months, I’ve been good.”
The Briton’s self-belief has grown alongside his recent results. After struggling with car handling earlier in the year, Norris has found his rhythm following crucial adjustments to McLaren’s front suspension during the Canadian Grand Prix.
Since then, Norris has won four races, compared to Piastri’s two. The Mexico victory was more than just a race win—it was a statement of intent from a driver determined to transform his potential into championship glory.
McLaren’s Momentum Overpowers Rivals
The race weekend underscored McLaren’s growing dominance. The team, rather than Red Bull, now appears to hold the upper hand as the season nears its conclusion.
The pre-race narrative centered around Max Verstappen, who had closed the points gap after a series of strong results. However, Norris’ flawless performance swiftly silenced talk of a late Red Bull resurgence.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised Norris’ consistency, calling the weekend “the most complete performance from Lando this season.” He added that the team’s confidence “has increased because we’ve proven that we have a car capable of winning and dominating in various conditions.”
From Early Struggles to a Mid-Season Revival
Norris’ season began with mixed fortunes. He started strong with a win in Australia, but Piastri quickly took control, securing four victories in the first half of the campaign.
During that period, Norris found the car difficult to handle. “When the car was winning and Oscar was winning,” he admitted, “the last thing I could do was use the excuse that my car wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t getting to grips with it.”
After technical improvements in June, Norris’ results began to mirror his renewed confidence. His ability to adapt to varying grip levels and track conditions has been key to his resurgence, something Stella highlighted as one of Norris’ standout strengths.
A Weekend of Perfection
Norris’ dominance was apparent from the moment he stepped into the car. He handed his McLaren to Mexican IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward during first practice as part of the team’s rookie driver program but returned for the second session with immediate pace.
His qualifying lap was one of the season’s best—an electric display of precision and control that secured pole position. On race day, Norris held his nerve at the start, avoiding chaos behind him as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc briefly took the lead by cutting a corner before giving the position back.
From there, Norris controlled the race flawlessly, managing his tyres and maintaining a comfortable lead until the chequered flag. “It’s probably my best performance through a whole weekend,” he reflected.
Piastri Struggles to Keep Pace
While Norris celebrated, teammate Oscar Piastri endured another challenging weekend. The Australian qualified 0.588 seconds and seven positions behind Norris and spent most of the race struggling to make up ground.
“For some reason, the last couple of weekends have required a very different way of driving,” Piastri admitted. “What’s worked for me before hasn’t worked recently, and trying to wrap my head around that has been tough.”
After a difficult weekend in Baku and a controversial incident with Norris in Singapore, Piastri’s momentum has stalled. Nonetheless, his fifth-place finish in Mexico provided some damage limitation.
Team boss Andrea Stella believes Piastri’s struggles stem from his preference for high-grip conditions. “Lando excels in low-grip situations,” Stella explained. “Oscar is still developing his adaptability, which will come with experience.”
Four Races, One Title Dream
As Formula 1 heads into its final four races, the title fight remains wide open. With both McLaren drivers in contention and Verstappen lurking, the closing stretch promises high drama.
Stella downplayed concerns about track layouts favouring one driver over another. “For Lando and Oscar, there’s no problem with the next circuits. We just need to ensure the car performs at its best, like it did here.”
For Norris, the focus remains on consistency. “The last few races have been good,” he said. “But I just need to keep doing what I’m doing and stay consistent against some very quick guys.”
A Defining Moment in the Championship Battle
The Mexico City Grand Prix may well be remembered as the race that reignited Lando Norris’ title campaign. His commanding victory has restored belief—not just within McLaren, but across the Formula 1 paddock—that he has matured into a genuine championship contender.
“I’m finding a better way to make the car work now,” Norris said with a grin. “It’s as simple as that.” With McLaren in top form and his confidence soaring, Norris’ quest for a maiden world championship is no longer a dream—it’s a very real possibility.
As the championship heads to Las Vegas, every lap, every point, and every decision will matter. For now, though, Mexico belongs to Lando Norris.
