Brundle: Norris Can Win F1 Title After Finding 'Overdrive Gear'

Lando Norris has demonstrated his championship-winning potential by finding an "overdrive gear" during his dominant Mexico City Grand Prix victory, according to Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle. Norris now leads teammate Oscar Piastri in the standings, with only a point separating them, while Max Verstappen remains a threat 36 points behind. The Briton's recent form, including five consecutive finishes ahead of Piastri, suggests a new level of performance and mental fortitude.

Why it matters:

After years of consistent performance but without a title challenge, Lando Norris's recent surge, culminating in a dominant win in Mexico, signals a crucial development in his career. This newfound "overdrive" could be the missing ingredient needed to challenge for the F1 Drivers' Championship, turning him from a promising talent into a genuine title contender. It also intensifies what is already a thrilling three-way championship battle with his teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

The Details:

• Dominant Mexico Performance: Martin Brundle highlighted Norris's "outstanding weekend" in Mexico, comparing his commanding pole-to-flag victory to performances typically seen from Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton. Brundle specifically praised Norris's perfect start and defense into the notoriously difficult first corner.
• Finding 'Overdrive': Brundle described Norris's Mexico performance as finding an "overdrive gear" – a level of elevated performance that championship contenders often tap into. He contrasted this with Verstappen, who seemingly operates in overdrive consistently.
• Villeneuve's Agreement: 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve echoed Brundle's sentiments, calling it a "statement weekend." He believes Norris's wake-up call came after failing to capitalize on Piastri's retirement in Azerbaijan, where Norris made critical errors and only finished seventh.
• Growth Trajectory: Villeneuve noted that Norris has been "on a roll," making significant steps in Singapore and Austin, which culminated in his "marvelous" performance in Mexico. He suggests that when a driver enters this "zone," they become nearly unbeatable.
• Mental Fortitude: Brundle believes Norris has significantly improved his mental application, an area where he previously faced questions. He highlighted Norris's ability to compartmentalize disappointments like Baku, Canada, Zandvoort, and Austin, suggesting a newfound maturity and focus.
• Self-Criticism as Strength: Villeneuve countered past criticisms of Norris being overly negative about his performances. He argued that Norris's willingness to admit and take blame for mistakes, even when not entirely his fault, is a "super strength" that drives progress and understanding, rather than a weakness.

What's Next:

The F1 title race continues to heat up, with the upcoming Sao Paulo Grand Prix featuring a Sprint weekend. Norris's recent form and newfound mental resilience put him in a strong position to maintain his championship lead. If he can consistently tap into this "overdrive" gear, he could very well complete what Brundle calls "the full set of cards" and become a Formula 1 World Champion, turning this season into one of the most memorable in recent history.