Lando Norris Shatters Expectations: The Brilliant Strategy Behind His Mexican Grand Prix Triumph
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, McLaren’s Lando Norris has pulled off a stunning revelation that has left fans and competitors alike in awe. After clinching a sensational pole-to-flag victory at the Mexican Grand Prix, Norris has disclosed a game-changing strategy: he has been racing without the delta time on his dashboard since the Monaco Grand Prix in May. This bold move has not only propelled him to the forefront of the F1 2025 standings but has ignited discussions about racing psychology and strategy.
Norris, who had faced a challenging August after retiring at the Dutch Grand Prix, found himself a daunting 34 points behind his teammate Oscar Piastri. However, since then, Norris has made an electrifying comeback, capturing podium finishes in four of the five races leading up to his latest triumph. His victory in Mexico marks his sixth win of the season, placing him just one point ahead of Piastri in a nail-biting championship race with only four races left in the season. Meanwhile, reigning four-time world champion Max Verstappen lags behind by 26 points, intensifying the battle for supremacy.
Analyzing his extraordinary performance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Norris dominated the weekend, securing pole position with an astonishing lap that was 0.262 seconds faster than Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari and a staggering 0.588 seconds quicker than Piastri. The following day, he showcased his prowess by winning the race with an insurmountable 30-second lead, while Piastri managed to recover to a commendable fifth place.
So, what’s the secret behind Norris’s newfound success without the delta time? Traditionally, drivers rely on this real-time timing tool during qualifying to gauge their performance against previous laps. However, Norris revealed that he has chosen to eliminate this distraction, which he believes allows him to concentrate solely on perfecting each corner of the track. “I’ve not had it since Monaco. I don’t know if it would have helped or hurt my performance,” he stated during a press conference in Mexico. “Without a reference to the overall lap time, I just push to maximize every corner. It’s a pleasant surprise to see a good lap time pop up at the end.”
This strategic adjustment is the latest in a series of modifications Norris has made to adapt the McLaren MCL39 to his driving style. Earlier in the season, the changes to the car’s suspension left Norris feeling disconnected from the front end, a sensation he had enjoyed the previous year. However, an upgrade to the suspension during the Canadian Grand Prix has allowed him to extract more performance from his machine. In contrast, teammate Piastri opted to retain the original suspension setup, believing it better suited his approach to racing.
Norris’s determination to secure the title is further evident as he revealed in April that he has abstained from alcohol, a personal sacrifice aimed at enhancing his competitiveness this season.
As the F1 world remains captivated by the unfolding drama, Lando Norris has not only emerged as a formidable contender but has also showcased the mental fortitude and strategic thinking that could redefine racing. With the championship battle heating up, fans can only wait with bated breath to see how this thrilling saga unfolds in the remaining races of the season.








