Why Lando Norris Was Booed at the Mexico City Grand Prix

The boos that followed Lando all weekend

The Mexico City crowd spent much of the Grand Prix weekend vocally displeased with Lando Norris. It was not an isolated hiss at the podium; the booing started as he entered the stadium on Saturday and continued through to the race and the post-race celebrations. While last year another driver drew heat from the stands, this year the loud negative reaction landed squarely on Lando. The stadium cheered big names like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri and even Charles Leclerc, but Norris was the one singled out for boos whenever he appeared.

Why the fans were upset: Monza and a place given back

The root of the anger traces back to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. During that race there was a moment where Oscar Piastri had to give a position back to Lando. Local journalists and many passionate fans in Mexico felt that the move had effectively handed points and momentum to Norris, altering the championship outlook. That perception—right or wrong—left a sour taste with parts of the Mexican crowd.

When a local journalist asked Lando in the post-race press conference whether he would “give those points back,” Lando dismissed the idea with a laugh. It is worth stating plainly: points do not get reassigned by rider request. For Lando to “give points back,” race control would need a matched, identical on-track circumstance and a clear rule breach to reverse. That scenario is extremely unlikely. Fans, however, were emotional and vocal about what they saw as an injustice, and they let Norris hear it.

Lando’s response and atmosphere in the paddock

Norris reacted to the boos with a sort of bemused nonchalance. He laughed it off as he left the podium and indicated in the press conference that it did not bother him. For drivers, crowd reactions are part of the job: some fans cheer, some boo. Lando handled the situation with a calm head and a bit of humour, which is the sensible approach given how little can actually be done about historical race moments.

The wider paddock atmosphere had its own stories—some lighthearted, some more serious. The weekend in Mexico was a mix of spectacle, tension and behind-the-scenes drama.

Liam Lawson’s near-miss with a marshal

Another tense moment came early in the race involving Liam Lawson. On lap three marshals were permitted to retrieve debris from a turn one incident. When it became apparent Lawson had pitted, race control rescinded the instruction to dispatch marshals and declared double yellows in the area. The incident is under further investigation, but from my vantage point a marshal’s feet were still on the track as Lawson approached only metres away. Onboard footage confirmed Lawson was slightly to the left of that marshal, but it was still a frightening near-miss for track personnel.

The FIA statement clarified the sequence: marshals were allowed on track, the instruction was rescinded once Lawson pitted, double yellows were displayed, and the situation remained under review later in the evening. It underlines how quickly situations can change and how crucial strict adherence to marshals’ safety procedures is.

Tape wars at the starting wall

One of the more colourful sidelines of the weekend was the so-called tape wars. Teams and media crews have developed techniques to mark ideal grid spots on the wall so a driver can line up for the best possible getaway. In Mexico, Will Joseph and a member of the crew were spotted placing tape on the wall to give Norris his preferred reference point.

The tape used in Mexico was peculiar: it had a backing layer and a clear peel-off on the front, not a solid strip. Reports from sources in the paddock suggested the FIA was not amused by the behaviour. I heard it might have been removed multiple times during the weekend. Whether it was tampered with during this race is unclear, and at the time I left for pit lane after formation lap there were no definitive public reports. Based on what folks at Red Bull told me, I suspect they would have avoided touching it this time.

Carlos Sainz’s late-race issue and the virtual safety car

Late in the race Carlos Sainz spun in the stadium section and his car had smoke and fire coming from it. He climbed out and marshals moved to secure the scene. The FIA issued a virtual safety car while the car was retrieved, but once Sainz’s car was in a protected position the virtual safety car ended and the race concluded under green flag conditions.

Some viewers questioned why broadcast coverage did not show this on-screen during the virtual safety car period. From my position inside the stadium, the spin itself was easy to miss but the aftermath—Sainz exiting—was visible. The VSC was a short intervention and the decisions on replays and camera prioritization are ultimately editorial calls by the broadcast team.

Pato O’Ward: illness, heart rate and a show-stopping jacket

Pato O’Ward had a dramatic few days. He drove FP1 for McLaren and did a solid job, but he was extremely ill the night before—food poisoning that needed rehydration treatment. After his FP1 outing he was taken to the circuit medical centre where he was treated for several hours. His resting heart rate after the session was measured at 140 beats per minute, which is very high. He recovered enough to participate later in the weekend, but he still needs to be cautious about food choices.

On a lighter note, Pato turned heads with an ornate jacket he wore in the paddock on Friday. Crafted by an iconic tailor, the piece drew plenty of attention and highlighted his Mexican-American-Irish background in stylish fashion. Drivers often use wardrobe and persona to connect with local fans, and Pato did that exceptionally well in Mexico.

Rookie line-up and a curious omission

Mexico saw nine rookie drivers take part in FP1 sessions. One notable rookie was Rio Hirawaka, but a small curiosity popped up on the official results page: Rio was the only rookie listed without a thumbnail picture beside his name. That kind of omission is minor in the grand scheme, but it stood out when scanning the grid of fresh talent making their first laps in top-flight machinery.

Wrestling masks, Fernando Alonso and fan culture

Wrestling masks are a beloved part of Mexico City race culture. George Russell was spotted wearing one while enjoying some spectator time in the stands, and Fernando Alonso took the lighter side of things even further. Alonso snuck out into pit stop practice wearing a mask and many crew members did not recognize him. He even wore the same mask during the drivers parade, a rare display of playfulness from a driver often perceived as overly serious. Moments like that remind us how much local color and tradition shape the atmosphere at each track.

Fashion and access: Lewis Hamilton and the hospitality route

Lewis Hamilton took a low-key route through parts of the weekend. He wore casual gear on Saturday and walked through the main swipes, but for the other three days he was driven into the circuit park via the back alley behind hospitality suites. That allowed him to exit close to the kitchen and step straight into hospitality—an efficient route that many top drivers and VIPs use to avoid crowds and media throngs.

Food, drink and track prices behind the grandstands

For anyone at the grandstands, the concessions provided a mix of local flavour and typical stadium fare. Prices quoted in US dollars for consistency included three tacos for $10, a beef or turkey hot dog for $11, a 5-inch pizza for $9, fried cheese and chips for $12, wings for $15, and a cheeseburger topping out at $21. The cheapest snack I saw was fried banana chips for $3. Drinks ranged from about $4 for soft drinks to free water refill stations, while spirits and cocktails were priced at roughly $10 to $14. A beer was around $7. It was an assortment that catered to fans looking for quick bites and a taste of local cuisine.

The Keller twins: identical mechanics in F1

It is rare to find siblings working in Formula One and even rarer to find identical twins who are both number one mechanics on the same team. Matt and John Keller are that rarity, both serving as number one mechanics for Red Bull. They have matching looks and similar on-track instincts, and the team keeps things simple by printing names on shirts. John has been with the team for 8 years, Matt for 10. Seeing them operate side by side underlined the family vibe that often runs through successful pit crews.

A reminder that motorsport can be dangerous

A crash in the Supercars event on the Gold Coast in Australia was a stark reminder of the risks in motorsport. Four photographers were injured in that incident. Could something similar happen in Formula One? Possibly, but FIA regulations and safety measures, including stronger barrier placement and stricter marshal zones, make large impacts less likely in F1 compared with some national touring car events. Still, the incident reinforced the need for constant vigilance around safety in every series.

How much weight do F1 drivers really lose during a race?

For years a widely repeated claim was that drivers can lose 3 to 4 kilograms during a race. A conversation with Joe Bauer, who officially weighs drivers each race, corrected this notion. According to Joe, drivers typically lose around 0.5 kilogram during a Grand Prix. In extreme cases it might reach 1 to 1.5 kilograms, but the old 3 to 4 kilogram figure is not supported by the official weigh-in data. Drivers do take on water during races and their suits soak up some perspiration, but Joe’s measurements are the definitive source for what actually happens on the scales.

Local support for Sergio Perez and what to expect next year

Although Sergio Perez did not race in Mexico this year, he was in the city during the event and remains a huge local draw. The stadium singers and fans performed chants and songs dedicated to him, a reminder of how national heroes can fill stands and hearts. With Perez expected to race in a different capacity next year, anticipation is high that the local crowd will be even louder and more fervent.

FAQs

Why were fans booing Lando Norris throughout the Mexico City weekend?

Fans were reacting to a controversial moment earlier in the season at Monza where Oscar Piastri gave a place back, a sequence many supporters felt altered the championship outcome. That perceived injustice led to boos directed at Lando whenever he appeared at the circuit.

Did Lando Norris say he would give points back?

No. When asked directly about “giving points back” Lando dismissed the idea. Points cannot be reassigned by request; any change would require a matching on-track incident and a regulatory decision by race control or the governing body.

What happened with Liam Lawson and the marshal? Was anyone hurt?

On lap three marshals were initially allowed to remove debris, but instructions were rescinded once Lawson pitted. A marshal’s feet were momentarily on track as Lawson approached, creating a dangerous near-miss. The FIA reported the incident and was reviewing it; no serious injuries were reported at the time.

What are “tape wars” and did they affect the race start?

Tape wars refer to crews placing tape marks on the starting wall to help a driver line up perfectly for the start. In Mexico unusual backing and peel-off tape was used and there were reports the FIA was unhappy with repeated removals. There were no confirmed reports that tape tampering changed the race start outcome.

How much weight do F1 drivers actually lose during a race?

Official weigh-ins indicate drivers typically lose around 0.5 kilogram during a race, and in extreme cases might lose 1 to 1.5 kilograms. The commonly repeated 3 to 4 kilogram figure is an overestimate.