McLaren star Lando Norris has issued a stark warning to his team, demanding significant improvements after a disappointing performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix left both cars trailing their championship rivals.
The British driver, who started from a promising fifth position on the grid, could only manage a frustrating fifth-place finish after struggling with tyre degradation throughout the race. His teammate Oscar Piastri fared even worse, slipping from seventh to eighth position in a weekend that exposed McLaren's current limitations.
Frustration Mounts as Rivals Pull Ahead
Norris didn't mince words when analysing the team's performance, stating: "We're just not quick enough. It's simple. We know the reasons, we know what we have to improve." The 23-year-old emphasised that while the team understands the issues, they must now deliver solutions quickly to remain competitive in the constructors' championship battle.
The Mexico City result proved particularly galling as both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, finished ahead of the McLaren duo, strengthening the Italian team's grip on third place in the constructors' standings.
Tyre Woes Hamper Mexican Ambitions
McLaren's struggles were compounded by severe tyre management issues at the high-altitude Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit. Norris revealed the team had anticipated better performance, making the reality of their pace deficit even more disappointing.
"We thought we would be a little bit better," Norris admitted. "But we were just slow. Simple as that. We struggled with the tyres, we struggled with a lot of things."
Constructors' Championship Battle Heats Up
With only three races remaining in the 2023 season, the pressure is mounting in the fight for position. Ferrari now sits 22 points clear of McLaren, making every remaining point crucial in the battle for millions in prize money and prestige.
Norris remains hopeful that upcoming developments can help close the gap to their rivals: "We have some things coming, which should help us. But everyone's bringing things, so we have to make sure ours are better."
The Formula 1 circus now heads to Brazil's Interlagos circuit, where McLaren will be desperate to bounce back and keep their championship hopes alive.
