Lando Norris delivered a masterclass in qualifying to claim pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix, producing one of his best laps of the season at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The McLaren driver stunned the grid with a blistering time of 1:15.586, outpacing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who will start second and third respectively. The result gives Norris a crucial opportunity to regain the championship lead and strengthen his title bid.
Norris’s performance came at a vital moment in the title race. With Max Verstappen closing in after three wins in the last four races, the British driver needed to reassert his authority — and he did so in emphatic fashion. His McLaren looked perfectly balanced, and his precision through the tight corners and rapid straights underlined his confidence. Starting from pole, Norris knows that victory in Mexico could propel him back to the top of the standings if his teammate Oscar Piastri fails to finish in the top two.
It was a more difficult day for Piastri, who could only manage eighth fastest in qualifying and will start seventh after Carlos Sainz’s grid penalty. The Australian has struggled to replicate his early-season pace, with his qualifying form dipping noticeably since the Dutch Grand Prix. His recent performances have allowed Verstappen to close the gap significantly, leaving his title hopes under increasing pressure.
For Lewis Hamilton, third place marked a positive turnaround. The Ferrari driver secured his first top-three qualifying result of the season, showing signs of progress after a tough campaign adapting to his new team. The seven-time world champion was upbeat, acknowledging that starting from the second row gives him a strategic advantage on Mexico’s long run to turn one.
McLaren will be pleased with their pace, especially as they haven’t started from pole in Mexico since 1990. Their car has shown strong race pace in simulations, and if Norris maintains his composure off the line, he could be difficult to catch. With Verstappen starting fifth and Piastri further back, Norris heads into Sunday’s race with a golden opportunity to reshape the championship narrative and remind everyone why he remains a top contender for the 2025 Formula 1 crown.
