By Joe Murphy
Lando Norris’s victory at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix was a masterful display of his driving skills and adaptability, as he expertly navigated the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit’s unique challenges, including its high altitude and demanding layout to take a comprehensive victory. With everybody squabbling behind, the Brit was relatively untroubled at the front and raced his own race for the majority of the Grand Prix.
However, the triumph was somewhat overshadowed by the hostile reception he received from the Mexican crowd, who booed him loudly as he stood on the podium. Norris, unfazed by the reaction, smiled and waved to the crowd, seemingly unbothered by the animosity: “I think they were expecting someone else to win… but I’m happy to have given them a show.”
The Mexican Grand Prix’s high-altitude conditions posed significant challenges for the teams, with the thin air affecting engine performance and aerodynamics. Norris’s team, McLaren, made strategic decisions regarding engine mapping and cooling, allowing him to maintain a competitive pace throughout the race. The high altitude resulted in a significant loss of power, with teams experiencing a 20-25% reduction in engine output. McLaren’s engine mapping strategy allowed Norris to optimize his power delivery, minimizing the impact of the altitude.
The thin air also affected aerodynamic efficiency, with teams struggling to generate sufficient downforce. Norris’s team made adjustments to the car’s aerodynamic configuration, including changes to the front wing and diffuser, to compensate for the loss of downforce. The circuit’s high-speed layout and abrasive surface put significant stress on the tyres, making tyre management a crucial aspect of the race. Norris’s team opted for a medium-soft tyre compound, allowing him to maintain a competitive pace while minimizing tyre degradation.
“I was struggling with the car on the medium compound, so we made the call to switch to the softs,” Norris said. “It was a gamble, but it paid off in the end.” Norris’s victory was also a testament to his exceptional skills, as he expertly navigated the circuit’s demanding layout and managed his tyres effectively.
Norris achieved a top speed of 340.1 km/h, set the fastest lap at 1:21.456, and maintained an average speed of 215.6 km/h. His team’s strategic decisions and Norris’s driving skills allowed him to outperform his competitors.
Norris’s victory has significant implications for the championship standings, as he takes the lead in the Drivers’ Championship.
The next round at Interlagos promises to be just as thrilling, with the Brazilian Grand Prix just around the corner.
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