Norris concedes McLaren 'too slow' after Mexico City qualifying

Lando Norris admitted McLaren are “too slow” after qualifying sixth for the Mexico City Grand Prix, while team mate Oscar Piastri was eliminated in Q2 and will start 13th. Norris had topped Q2 with a lap he called “phenomenal,” but could not repeat it in Q3.

Why it matters:

McLaren arrived with flashes of pace—Norris was second on Friday and fastest in FP3—but the final session exposed the MCL40’s narrow operating window. With Piastri also struggling, McLaren leave Saturday with a clear deficit rather than a one-off mistake.

The details:

• Norris said his Q2 effort was a “magical” lap and that repeating it in Q3 was impossible: “We’re just too slow.”
• The Briton described the car as unpredictable, citing a headwind gain in Turn 12 that vanished on the next lap, costing him tenths.
• He was blunt about the time loss: “Every corner.” Norris pointed to Sector 1 and Turns 1–3, where McLaren loses around two tenths per lap, adding that Turn 7 is his only strong corner.
• Despite the gap, Norris was pleased with P6, acknowledging that occasional hope from a quick lap can hide the reality seen in Q3.

What's next:

Norris’s assessment leaves McLaren searching for a broader setup window rather than relying on perfect laps. With Piastri starting 13th, the team face a tough race in Mexico City, where traffic, tyre management and sector-one weakness could limit their recovery.