McLaren's rising star Lando Norris has delivered a defiant response to the chorus of boos that greeted his podium finish at Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix, telling critics: "I really don't care."
The British driver secured a impressive second place behind Red Bull's dominant Max Verstappen, but found himself facing an unexpected hostile reception from sections of the crowd during the post-race celebrations.
Podium Tension in Mexico City
As Norris stepped onto the podium at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the traditional cheers were mixed with audible booing from passionate local fans. The negative reaction appeared to stem from Norris's earlier comments about the circuit's high altitude affecting performance.
"Some of the things I said about the track, I said it's boring, that it's a lot of high-speed corners and it's not that exciting," Norris explained to Sky Sports F1. "But I also said I love coming to Mexico and it's one of the best races of the year."
Norris's Unapologetic Stance
The 24-year-old Bristol-born driver remained remarkably composed despite the mixed reception, stating: "If they want to boo, they can boo. I really don't care. I just came second."
Norris emphasised that his criticism was directed at the circuit's characteristics rather than the country or its people, praising the "amazing" Mexican fans and the electric atmosphere they create throughout the race weekend.
Strong Performance Despite Challenges
The second-place finish marks another impressive result for Norris in what has become his most successful F1 season to date. The McLaren driver has secured multiple podium finishes and continues to establish himself as one of the sport's most promising talents.
Despite the challenging high-altitude conditions that affect car performance and driver stamina, Norris delivered a flawless drive, holding off pressure from rivals throughout the race to secure valuable championship points.
As the F1 circus moves to Brazil for the next round, Norris's performance in Mexico strengthens his position in the drivers' championship and confirms McLaren's continued resurgence in the competitive midfield battle.
