Lando Norris on McLaren's 'Not Easy' Reality Despite Mexican GP Pole

Lando Norris secured a commanding pole position at the Mexico City Grand Prix, but despite outpacing Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, he insists the McLaren MCL39 remains a challenging car to drive. This strong performance marks his 14th career pole, placing him ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on the grid, with championship rivals Verstappen and Piastri starting further back.

Why it matters:

Norris's pole position is a significant statement, especially given his championship fight. While he sits between Piastri (14 points ahead) and Verstappen (26 points behind) in the standings, this dominant qualifying display could be a turning point. It also highlights the intricate balance McLaren drivers must strike to unlock the MCL39's ultimate pace, a challenge Norris appears to be mastering.

The Details:

• Norris will start the 71-lap race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez from pole, flanked by Charles Leclerc's Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes.
• His closest title rival, Max Verstappen, struggled with his RB21 at the high-altitude venue and will start fifth.
• McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, whose form has dipped, qualified in seventh.
• Norris's qualifying performance was exceptionally clean, with strong laps throughout FP3, Q1, Q2, and Q3, free of mistakes or lock-ups.
• Car Characteristics: Despite its speed, the MCL39 is described as 'not easy to drive' by both Norris and Piastri.
  • Drivers need to find a 'thin groove' or 'rhythm' to extract its high potential.
  • Norris indicated that once in this rhythm, the car 'flies', which he achieved in Mexico.

The big picture:

This pole position underscores Norris's exceptional skill in extracting maximum performance from a tricky car. While Verstappen has struggled with the RB21's balance in Mexico and Piastri has been off the pace, Norris's ability to consistently perform at this level demonstrates his maturity and championship aspirations. His consistent strong weekends, particularly when he finds the 'feel' for the car, are crucial for McLaren's hopes.

What's next:

Norris will aim to convert his pole position into a race win, which would significantly boost his championship chances against both Piastri and Verstappen. The race itself will be a test of the MCL39's reliability and Norris's ability to manage the challenging conditions of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, especially with strong competitors like Leclerc and Hamilton starting close behind.