Martin Brundle reveals confusion behind toxic Lando Norris reception

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has revealed his confusion about the toxic reception Lando Norris received throughout the Mexico City Grand Prix. 

Norris was booed across the event at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, particularly in the Foro Sol stadium section after qualifying and the race. 

The Briton converted pole position into victory with ease by a staggering 30 seconds, to take the lead of the F1 drivers' title by a point over Oscar Piastri. 

Many were left unsure why Norris received hate from the Mexican fans; however, some details have since been discovered. 

Following reports in Mexican media, the McLaren driver is currently an unpopular figure in the country due to being given the position back in Monza after the team's poor pit stop saw him fall behind Piastri. 

In addition, it is linked to comments Norris made about home hero Sergio Perez in 2024, when he criticised the Mexican driver.

Discussing Norris being booed in Mexico City, Brundle said on the Sky F1 podcast: "For me, it was an absolute no-brainer to switch them back [in Monza]. So, it's just odd i was in Mexico, isn't it? 

"But I learned a very, very long time ago, you do not tell fans what to think or what to or not to sat. They will do what they feel, and so they should. 

"If he'd have had Sergio Perez off in the first corner three consecutive years or something, I could have understood it in Mexico. 

"But so I think that's just a misunderstanding of the situation. And somebody asking a specific question because I didn't make a lot of sense otherwise."

Brundle's own booing experience

Brundle has personal experience of being with drivers while they have been booed, especially when he often conducted driver interviews on the podium. 

The driver-turned-pundit was on the rostrum when Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel were booed, something the Briton did not enjoy.

"I've been when we used to do the interviews on the podium that I did for quite a lot of years, I've been up there with Nico [Rosberg] getting booed," added Brundle.

"I've been up there with Sebastian Vettel getting booed, and it's quite something. It's quite powerful, it's quite off-putting.

"But that's the nature of sports fans, and they'll do what they want and they'll do what they feel like. But it seems that one was particularly kind of stirred up somehow."