Lando Norris struggling in rarefied air at the summit after Max Verstappen admission – as Red Bull paitence at snapping point with local hero Sergio Perez ahead of Mexican Grand Prix

It seems that altitude sickness comes in different forms. And here at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodgriguez, 2,200 meters above sea level, Lando Norris struggles with the thin air he breathes near the top of Formula 1.

With astonishing candor, he spoke in the run-up to Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix about how Max Verstappen is the best driver in the world, while he is only learning.

It’s not what you would have heard Nigel Mansell say about a talent as iridescent as Ayrton Senna or a 22-year-old Lewis Hamilton taking on Fernando Alonso as a rookie when the Spaniard was a two-time and reigning world champion.

In fact, one team boss was so stunned by Norris’s admission that he compared it to a ‘retirement speech’. Norris is 24 and hopes he still has a lot to do. However, it should be noted that opportunities to win the world title do not come more than once in a lifetime, or even that often.

For the time being, Verstappen seems to have his friend Norris exactly where he wants him, both on and off the track. They are like brothers who get along well, but when they get to the playground, the older boy beats up his brother or sister.

Verstappen seems to have his friend Norris exactly where he wants him, both on and off the track

From 57 points back, with 146 remaining at this afternoon’s race, Brazil next week, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, there remains a possibility that Norris can perform in a McLaren that maintains a lead over the Red Bull which he has all but written off as mission impossible.

It received a new floor this weekend, an emblem of McLaren’s relentless quest to, first and foremost, win the constructors’ title for the first time this century. They have a 40 point lead over Red Bull. That gap poses problems for Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, the local favorite whose photo appears on every billboard.

The Mexican, albeit in a difficult car, has clearly underperformed this season. Patience is at a crucial point in the team hierarchy. He is under contract for next season but Mail Sport understands it is unlikely to expire.

As things stand, the 34-year-old Mexican will not be fired immediately, but may be encouraged to retire. His place would most likely be taken by Liam Lawson, the 22-year-old New Zealander who is impressing with Red Bull’s junior team RB.

Sergio Perez will not be immediately fired from Red Bull, but could be encouraged to retire

Norris got a new floor this weekend, an emblem of McLaren’s relentless quest to win

Back to Norris and another setback, albeit predictable. McLaren demanded a right of review because of the five-second time penalty imposed on their man in Austin last weekend for overtaking Verstappen off the track.

They argued that the stewards wrongly said that Norris was the one who overtook. They say he was ahead in the braking zone (if not at the top) and the case should be reopened in light of this.

That is not the case, the stewards said in their latest ruling. “As there is no relevant new element, the petition is dismissed,” they concluded. The result therefore remains: Verstappen third and Norris fourth.

A repeat of that order is exactly what Norris cannot afford.