Herbert reckons Norris has ‘cracked it’ after dominant Mexico victory

Lando Norris’s commanding triumph at the Mexico City Grand Prix was more than just another victory – it was, in the eyes of former F1 driver Johnny Herbert, the clearest sign yet that the McLaren star has elevated his game to a new level.

The 25-year-old Briton produced a flawless lights-to-flag performance to claim his sixth win of the 2025 season, reclaiming the world championship lead from teammate Oscar Piastri by a single point with just four races to go.

As a seasoned observer, Herbert sees the McLaren charger’s dominant display as a game-changer, showcasing a newfound confidence that could tilt the title fight in his favor.

“The statement that said to me that he’s on a different level now. He felt so relaxed over the whole weekend. That is something we haven't probably heard before, and we probably haven't seen before,” Herbert told AdventureGamers.

A Tell-Tale Sign: Norris’ Lightning Getaway

Herbert was particularly struck by Norris’s blistering launch off the grid – a moment that, in his view, symbolized the calm confidence now defining the Briton’s driving.

“The particular moment which demonstrated that, was his start. It was flawless. It's the best start we've seen Lando Norris ever do. It was perfect. It has been an area where he has been really struggling,” he said.

“That shows that sometimes if you have that ability to just sort of shake your hands, get rid of that pressure that is there before the start and just do your bit, you're able to capitalise on doing the start like he did.

“He went on from there to totally controlling the race and was never under pressure. To deliver that in the way he did was perfect timing. That was a real statement for what might come for the rest of the championship.”

With Piastri struggling for consistency, Herbert noted that the tables have turned within McLaren’s garage.

“But is it a given now that he's sorted all the issues that he had? Oscar is the one who seems to have all the issues, and he's now got to try and work it out.

“It shows that everybody is going through the same issues, they’re all struggling in their own way, all having their problems.

“But Lando with the McLaren seemed to be perfectly at home at a track obviously that he's very comfortable with as well and he dealt with all the booing that was going on at the same time which is always a ridiculous thing that happens.”

Calm and Composed: The New Norris

According to Herbert, the real story of Mexico wasn’t just about speed – it was about mindset. Norris, who earlier in the season wrestled with self-doubt, appeared mentally freer and more composed than ever before.

“With Norris self doubting himself earlier in the season, I think he has put this behind him, at least from what we saw in Mexico. Doubt will always creep in when things aren't quite going the way you either expect it,” said the three-time F1 winner.

“And the biggest hurdle you have to get over is the feelings that you're having with the car when it doesn't quite feel where it needs to be. You've got to be able to battle that mentally and physically to overcome it.

“You need confidence. I don't think confidence has probably always shone through. But that's his character, his character is not so much showing inner confidence.”

Herbert contrasted Norris’s openness with teammate Piastri’s more reserved approach, noting how both drivers handle pressure differently.

“Oscar you can't read,” he added. “It's a powerful thing at the same time because you don't know if he's in a good place or a bad place.

“It’s only the comments which have started to emerge which indicate how he is thinking. It began at Silverstone where he wasn’t happy during and after the race.

• Read also: The crucial debrief that allowed Norris to reconnect with McLaren

“Comments started to come out. That was something we hadn't seen before, but that’s only human nature. Sometimes you try and clam up and not tell the world that's going on and maybe that's possibly been a weakness for Lando.

"Lando's always been so open, saying ‘I've done this wrong, or that wrong, I shouldn't have done this.’

“In contrast, Oscar has always been trying to hold it internally, but he has got to a point where he does that openly now, talking about it. He’s felt that has been something that works for him.”

A Title-Defining Moment

For Herbert, the Mexico weekend symbolized something bigger – a mental breakthrough that could define the title run-in.

“The most important part of the weekend for me was how relaxed Lando was. That’s going to give him way more speed and opportunity to produce the goods,” he said.

“If he has sorted out his starts as he showed in Mexico, at this time in the championship, he's put himself in a very good place.

“That one little moment could be the game changer, that he has sussed it and cracked it. He hadn't cracked it for quite a while and now he's been able to do that.”

As the championship enters its final stretch, Herbert’s message is clear: Lando Norris has found the calm, confidence, and control that separate great drivers from the rest – and he might just have cracked the code at the perfect time.

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