Why Lando Norris was 'Flying' on His Timely Mexico F1 Pole Lap

Lando Norris secured a stunning pole position at the Mexico Grand Prix, marking a significant return to form after a period of qualifying struggles. This timely resurgence, evidenced by his fifth pole of 2025 and a now-even 10-10 head-to-head qualifying record against Oscar Piastri, suggests that Norris is overcoming previous challenges with his MCL39.

Why it matters:

Norris's pole position in Mexico is not just a personal triumph; it's a critical moment for McLaren as a team. After a mid-season dip where Oscar Piastri often outperformed him in qualifying, Norris's return to top form provides a much-needed boost and demonstrates the team's ability to adapt and improve. This performance, especially on a uniquely challenging track, bodes well for McLaren's competitive prospects against rivals like Red Bull and Ferrari.

The Details:

• Return to Form: Norris ended a pole-less streak dating back to June's Belgian Grand Prix, securing his fifth pole of 2025. This achievement also leveled his head-to-head qualifying score with teammate Oscar Piastri at 10-10.
• MCL39 Challenges: Early in the 2025 season, Norris struggled with the MCL39's handling, particularly its front-axis feel at the limit, leading to Q3 errors. Both Norris and the team conducted extensive analysis to address these issues.
• Mexico Breakthrough: Norris felt comfortable with the car from day one in Mexico, rapidly getting up to speed in FP2. He credited both the team's technical improvements and his personal work away from the track for this breakthrough.
• Technical Advantage in Mexico: Team boss Andrea Stella noted that the MCL39's characteristics, combined with the hot tarmac and sliding tires in Mexico, suited Norris's driving style. Norris excels in low-grip conditions, often gaining time towards the end of stints when tires are worn.
• Unique Track Conditions: The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, at 2200 meters above sea level, is the lowest-grip circuit on the F1 calendar. Pirelli's aggressive choice to bring the C5 tire as the softest compound further emphasized the importance of tire management, an area where McLaren and Norris excelled.
• Race Pace Potential: McLaren's formidable long-run pace on medium tires in FP2 suggests Norris could maintain his strong performance in the race, despite a two-pronged Ferrari assault expected on lap one.

Between the lines:

While Norris's performance in Mexico was exceptional, he cautioned that his struggles might not be entirely behind him. He recalled feeling similar issues with front-end confidence just a few weekends prior in Singapore, indicating that consistency across different track conditions remains a challenge. Both Norris and the team acknowledge that further improvements to the car are necessary to make it more consistently to his liking and to enable him to perform at this level more often.

What's next:

Norris's current uptick in form is crucial, especially as he aims to capitalize on his teammate Piastri's recent struggles. With Piastri starting seventh, and overtaking expected to be difficult, Norris has a strong chance to potentially overtake the Australian in the title fight. His ability to manage tire degradation and maintain strong pace will be key to converting pole position into a race victory and continuing his momentum in the championship.