Lando Norris brushed off a chorus of boos in Mexico City after claiming a commanding victory at the Mexican Grand Prix, insisting he is “focused on himself” and unfazed by the critics.
The win, one of the most dominant of his career, propelled the McLaren driver to the top of the Formula One championship standings, one point ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri with four races remaining.
The 25-year-old Brit delivered a near-flawless performance from lights to flag, crossing the line 30 seconds clear of his rivals as boxing legend Evander Holyfield waved the chequered flag.
But what should have been a moment of celebration was briefly marred when sections of the crowd jeered during his post-race interview and again on the podium.
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Norris looked momentarily taken aback, pausing mid-sentence before offering an awkward smile to the cameras.
When asked about the boos, Norris remained composed.
“It’s one weekend at a time,” he said.
“I’m happy, I’m focused on myself. I keep my head down, I ignore all of this, keep to myself. It’s working at the minute, so I’m happy.”
Lando Norris now leads the F1 standings with four races to go | GETTY/GBNEWS
Lando Norris was booed as he celebrated his Mexico Grand Prix win on the podium
|REUTERS
The reason behind the crowd’s hostility was unclear, leaving Sky Sports commentators and fans puzzled.
Still, Norris appeared determined not to let it overshadow his triumph.
“I love it. What a race. I could just keep my eyes forward and focus on what I was doing,” he added.
“It was a pretty straightforward race for me, which is just what I was after. A good start, a good launch, a good first lap, and I could go from there. It’s my first win in Mexico and a beautiful one to get.”
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Lando Norris has moved ahead of Oscar Piastri by a single point with the duo battling for F1 glory
|REUTERS
Behind Norris, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second, while Max Verstappen secured third.
The standout performance came from rookie Ollie Bearman, who stunned the paddock by taking fourth for Haas, marking the team’s best-ever result.
The race was far from short on drama.
Lewis Hamilton was left fuming after being handed a ten-second penalty for colliding with Verstappen while fighting for third.
Both drivers ran off the track as Verstappen attempted an overtake, reigniting their long-standing rivalry.
“What about all the other cars that have cheated?!” Hamilton shouted over team radio when informed of the punishment.
Earlier chaos had already shaken the order.
Verstappen went wide at the first corner, cutting across the grass, while Leclerc also overshot Turn Two but relinquished his advantage to let Norris reclaim the lead.
Lando Norris has impressed this season, with his win in Mexico a statement of intent
|GETTY/GBNEWS
Verstappen was forced to give back third place to Hamilton after a similar excursion, and further back, George Russell made contact with the Dutchman as Lance Stroll spun to the back of the grid.
As Norris pulled clear in the early laps, Verstappen’s flat-spotted tyre hampered his pace, while Hamilton’s penalty dropped him to 14th.
Piastri’s day went from bad to worse after slipping from seventh to ninth at the start, later engaging in a fierce midfield battle with Yuki Tsunoda and Russell.
The young Australian eventually surged to fifth with a daring move past the Mercedes driver late in the race.
Further frustration brewed in the Mercedes camp as Russell fumed about being held up by his team-mate Kimi Antonelli. “Marcus, I’ve got a f***ing car in my a**,” he snapped on the radio, demanding to be let through.
Eventually, the order was swapped, though Russell’s hopes of a podium faded.