Lando Norris reveals details from crucial debrief he had with McLaren before statement win in Mexico

Follow us on Google Discover

McLaren vulnerabilities in recent races were nowhere to be found in Mexico as Lando Norris stormed to a dominant victory. The British driver has revealed details of a crucial debrief that he had with his team that served as the difference-maker.

It was a near-perfect weekend for Norris in Mexico City as he notched his sixth win of the season, retaking control of the F1 standings from his McLaren counterpart, Oscar Piastri, in the process.

Taking pole position on Saturday and not relinquishing the lead for a single lap during the Grand Prix, the 25-year-old was a fastest lap away from securing the first Grand Slam of his career.

Unfortunately, George Russell spoiled the party with his effort on lap 50.

The win, which saw him take the chequered flag over 30 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen in second and third, marked Norris’ first trip to the top step of the podium since his victory in Hungary six races ago.

Paddock insiders believe Max Verstappen will reign victorious at the end of the season, but Norris’ dominant display of pace will surely make some question their earlier verdict.

READ MORE: Jacques Villeneuve labels Mexican GP ‘embarrassing’ after one race-deciding incident

Lando Norris reveals details of crucial debrief with McLaren after the Singapore Grand Prix

After Norris’ retirement at the Dutch GP in August, it looked as if Piastri’s time to secure a maiden world championship had arrived.

However, the British driver has clawed his way back into the driver’s seat, turning the 34-point deficit he was looking at after the race weekend in Zandvoort into a one-point advantage in his own favour.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 following the chequered flag at the Mexico City Grand Prix, a victorious Norris revealed the intense debrief that took place within the McLaren ranks that aided him in his quest to return to the top of the standings.

He said, “It’s hard to know exactly what, it’s just that I felt better with the car today. Everything is about how I feel in the car. Last year, I felt very good with the car, and I could perform better. 

“This year, I’ve struggled to get to grips with it. It’s been incredibly quick. But clearly, it’s still difficult to drive. When you get in that sweet spot, you can make it work, and it’s still something that over the last few weekends I’ve struggled with, even in Singapore.

“We had our debrief, we sat down for half an hour, and I’m like, guys, this is exactly the car I don’t want. This is the reason why we can’t win more races and why we’re not gonna win in the future, is if we keep having a car that doesn’t give me what I need.

“This weekend, I just had a little bit more of what I need, and I can perform how I did this weekend. So it’s as simple as that.”

READ MORE: Damon Hill thinks Lando Norris uncovered a serious problem with F1 during Mexican GP win

Lando Norris now leads the F1 championship for the first time since April

Norris’ leapfrogging of his teammate marks the first time that he has led the F1 standings since he was overtaken by Piastri following the conclusion of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April.

The Australian looked to have been the calmer and more composed driver within the McLaren garage, but his vulnerabilities have been on display in recent weeks as he has failed to score a top-three finish in the last four races.

McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward now believes the title fight will get entertaining following the Brit’s usurping of the top spot in Mexico.

The final four races of the 2025 F1 calendar will prove which driver has the mettle to clinch a maiden title in the sport.

The lead-up to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi will be fascinating, and there’s no telling who will come back from the Yas Marina Circuit as a newly crowned world champion.