McLaren returned to winning ways after several weeks, thanks largely to a perfect weekend from Lando Norris. The British driver also reclaimed the lead in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship after 189 days, at the most crucial stage of the season, having recovered 34 points. Now, Oscar Piastri will need a true resurgence if he hopes to fight for the title.
After 189 days, Lando Norris is back at the top of the standings. During those six months, he faced difficult moments, including a technical retirement at the Dutch Grand Prix. That evening in Zandvoort, the gap to teammate Oscar Piastri had risen to 34 points. Norris absorbed the setback and recharged at a time when things seemed against him. Initially, his response was less visible due to McLaren’s struggles, but once he had a winning car again, his form emerged unmistakably.
Norris dominates in Mexico
The victory at the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit highlighted the technical performance of the McLaren, but Lando Norris’s role was far from secondary. Two key moments defined his weekend: the perfect lap during the crucial qualifying session on Saturday and the highly anticipated race start. From the outside, such precision might appear effortless, but controlling the car in low-grip conditions set him apart from the rest of the field.
Yesterday’s performance could prove to be a turning point in the 2025 championship. McLaren knew that leaving Mexico without a win would create a heavy atmosphere. Norris understood he had to strike while his teammate was most vulnerable. McLaren continues to support Oscar Piastri just as they had with Norris mid-season, but it seems Oscar will need a true resurgence to remain in championship contention. The difference is not just the points gap to his teammate, but the negative spiral he seems increasingly trapped in.
The challenge for Piastri
If a world title were not at stake, Oscar Piastri’s situation could be seen as a natural part of his early career growth. Under the spotlight, however, every setback is magnified. Many fans and professionals forget how long it took Max Verstappen to fully capitalize on his potential or the progress Charles Leclerc made in tire management during his fifth F1 season. Piastri still has significant room for growth, yet he has remained in contention for a championship that at one point seemed almost certain. The stakes are undeniably higher now.
With Norris back in the lead, Oscar Piastri will have to chase as he did in the first five races of the season, but it will take something extraordinary to turn the situation in his favor. The only positive news for both McLaren drivers is that the MCL39 remains a winning car. Two months without victories had raised doubts, but in Mexico, there was no contest. Andrea Stella commented, “Confidence in championship possibilities has increased. We confirmed we still have a car capable of winning races, and in some conditions even dominating them. This is the most important factor for enabling Lando and Oscar to fight for the Drivers’ Championship.”
Andrea Stella added, “I don’t think it’s a matter of mathematics, but competitiveness. Confirming it on track was crucial. Regarding Oscar, even though he lost some points to Verstappen, I believe he learned a lot this weekend. These are the experiences that become investments for being competitive in any condition. Overall, the team and drivers leave this weekend encouraged, optimistic, and ready for the final part of the season.”
Looking ahead to the season finale
The key question McLaren answered concerns the technical scenario for the final races. After four disappointing weekends, doubts had started to creep in, but now the team knows that with better execution, the package can still aim for victories. The remaining tracks—Interlagos, Las Vegas, Losail, and Yas Marina—could see the Verstappen-Red Bull duo strike again, but after the Mexican GP, the McLaren team has cleared a significant amount of stress, leaving room for genuine confidence heading into the season finale.
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