Lando Norris may have extended his Formula 1 championship lead with a commanding victory at the Mexican Grand Prix, but the celebrations were far from unanimous among the fans in Mexico City. The McLaren driver was met with a chorus of boos and jeers during his post-race interviews — a reaction that, according to reports, traces back to the team orders controversy from the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

Norris, who reclaimed the lead of the drivers’ standings from team-mate Oscar Piastri with Sunday’s win, appeared unfazed by the hostile reception inside the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez’s stadium section.

“I don’t know why, to be honest,” Norris admitted afterward. “People can do what they want, honestly. They have the right to do it if they want to do it. That’s sport sometimes. I can’t stop laughing when I get booed — it makes it more entertaining for me.”

The McLaren star added that similar reactions had surfaced before: “It was the same in Monza and a few other places. So, yeah, I don’t know why. I just can’t stop laughing. If they want to continue, they can.”

However, Norris later learned from Mexican journalist Carlos Jalife of Fast Mag that the jeers were likely linked to the aftermath of McLaren’s controversial team orders at Monza. During that race, Piastri was instructed to yield position to Norris after a slow pit stop had cost the British driver time — a move that some fans saw as unfair favoritism.

Speaking directly to Norris, Jalife explained: “We did a poll that you’re being given the championship. That’s why the booing is coming. We asked: ‘What should Lando do?’ and the top answer was ‘return the three points.’”

Caught off guard by the explanation, Norris defended the team’s handling of the situation and rejected the notion that Monza required any amends.

“Sure, if they want to think that, they have the right to,” he said. “We always try to do things fairly as a team — that’s something we made clear back then. Two years ago in Budapest, I could have won the race but had to let Oscar through because he deserved it. It was no different in Monza. I deserved to be ahead there — simple as that.”

Despite the controversy, Norris maintained a lighthearted attitude, joking that fans could “have the three points if they want,” but emphasizing that McLaren’s decisions were made in the spirit of fairness and teamwork.

Whether the boos continue at future races remains to be seen, but for Norris, the focus is firmly on the bigger picture — a world championship battle that now tilts back in his favor.

Photo Credits; McLaren F1