Revealed: Why Lando Norris was booed at the Mexican GP

Lando Norris, fresh off his dominant victory and pole position at the Mexico City Grand Prix, was met with unexpected boos from the crowd. This puzzled many, as he had no incidents during the race, no public rivalry with Sergio Perez, and no history of being booed in Mexico. The reason, however, was later clarified in the official post-race press conference.

Why it matters:

F1 fans are passionate, and their reactions, even if based on misunderstandings, can significantly impact a driver's public perception. This incident highlights the deep scrutiny and strong opinions that surround team orders and strategic decisions in Formula 1, especially when championship points are at stake.

The Details:

• Mexican journalist Carlos Jalife explained that a local poll revealed fans believed Norris was being 'given the championship' due to a past incident at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
• The Monza Incident: During the Monza race, McLaren pitted Oscar Piastri first to cover Charles Leclerc, then brought Norris in the following lap. Norris's pit stop was slow, causing him to fall behind Piastri, who was running P2 with Norris P3.
• Team Order: Piastri was subsequently asked to let Norris pass. Despite Piastri's recollection that a slow pit stop was 'part of racing,' he ceded the position, resulting in Norris finishing ahead.
• Championship Impact: This decision led to a six-point swing in the championship. Without it, Piastri would currently be five points ahead of Norris, instead of one point behind.
• Norris's Response: Norris, recalling a similar incident in Hungary 2024 where he undercut Piastri and gave up a win, stated: "If they want to think that, then they certainly have the right to, they can think whatever they want."
• He emphasized that as a team, McLaren tries to act fairly and that the Monza decision was an "incorrect decision that we made as a team to box him first, or me first here."
• Norris concluded by saying, "Oscar deserved the win last year in Budapest, and I deserved to be ahead at Monza. It is as simple as that."

Between the lines:

This incident underscores the intense fan focus on every strategic decision made by F1 teams. While team orders are a long-standing, often controversial, part of the sport, the perception of fairness, especially concerning intra-team battles, can heavily sway public opinion. Norris's response indicates a clear belief in the merit of the Monza decision from his perspective, balancing team strategy with individual performance.

What's next:

The incident is likely to blow over as the F1 season progresses, but it serves as a reminder of the passionate — and sometimes misinformed — nature of F1 fandom. Drivers and teams will continue to navigate the delicate balance of on-track competition and fan perception.