P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Why is Lando Norris the most hated man in F1?
The crowd at the Mexican GP booed and jeered Lando Norris, reflecting a sentiment against the British driver that came as a shock to many. The dislike towards Norris in Mexico can be traced back to team orders at the Italian GP, where a slow pit stop caused a shift in his teammate Oscar Piastri’s performance.
The decision to favor Norris over Piastri and subsequent claims of favoritism have put Norris at a psychological disadvantage, exacerbating the discontent from fans. McLaren’s handling of the situation, including swapping the drivers when the error was team-related, further fueled the animosity from fans in Mexico and Italy.
The booing at the Mexican GP was not isolated, as Italian fans also expressed displeasure during McLaren’s team orders fiasco at Monza. F1 fans want championship results to be decided on-track fairly, without behind-the-scenes manipulations that diminish the integrity of the sport.
Notably, the hero status of Mexican driver Sergio Perez, coupled with Red Bull’s presence at the event, likely contributed to the fervor of the crowd supporting Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s resurgence in the championship battle, now 36 points behind Norris, heightened expectations and intensified the atmosphere at the race.
