McLaren's Lando Norris has delivered a brutally honest assessment of his Mexican Grand Prix performance, admitting that a crucial strategic misstep cost him a potential victory against Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
The British driver, who started from an impressive third on the grid and briefly led the race, ultimately finished fifth after what he described as "the complete opposite" of the optimal strategy.
Early Promise Dashed by Pit Stop Gamble
Norris enjoyed a sensational start at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, capitalising on Verstappen's getaway to briefly take the race lead. However, McLaren's decision to pit early under the first Virtual Safety Car proved disastrous.
"We should have won the race," Norris stated unequivocally. "We started third, we took the lead, and then we boxed on the worst lap possible and basically ended our race."
Strategic Domino Effect
The premature pit stop triggered a cascade of problems for the McLaren driver. Having committed to an early switch to hard compound tyres, Norris found himself struggling for pace while rivals executed later stops under more favourable conditions.
"We went onto the hard tyre, which was pretty much the complete opposite to what we should have done," he explained. "We should have stayed out, done what Mercedes did, what Ferrari did."
Team-mate Contrast Highlights Missed Opportunity
The strategic error became even more apparent when comparing Norris's fortunes with team-mate Oscar Piastri, who finished eighth. While both McLaren drivers struggled, Norris believes the podium was genuinely within reach with better decision-making.
Norris's frustration was palpable as he reflected on what might have been: "We threw it away. It was just a bad call."
Verstappen Capitalises on Rival Errors
While Norris lamented McLaren's strategy, Red Bull's Max Verstappen executed a flawless race to claim his 16th victory of the 2024 season. The Dutchman's win demonstrated how critical strategic precision remains in modern Formula 1, even with a dominant car.
The result leaves Norris fourth in the Drivers' Championship, with McLaren facing tough questions about their race management as the season approaches its conclusion.
