Lando Norris delivered a flawless performance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, achieving a dominant victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix and regaining the lead in the Drivers’ Championship, with just a one-point advantage over his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. Fresh from a second-place finish in Austin, Norris had the perfect opportunity to strike again in the title fight, and he seized it with complete authority.
Despite missing FP1 to give Pato O’Ward his rookie session, Norris asserted his dominance immediately upon returning to the car, topping the times in FP3 and securing pole position on Saturday, edging out Charles Leclerc by 0.262 seconds. On race day, Norris got off to a flying start amid the chaos at the first turn, where four cars were battling for the lead. Once he emerged in first place, he never looked back.
Lap after lap, the McLaren driver built a gap that grew with remarkable consistency. He survived the pit stop phase unchallenged and crossed the line more than 30 seconds ahead of his nearest rival. This was the most dominant win in Formula 1 since Hungary in 2023, and Norris’s sixth victory of the 2025 season. This result not only put him back at the top of the standings, but also reaffirmed his championship credentials as the season heads into its final four rounds.
Verstappen Secures a Podium, Piastri Left to Regroup
While Norris enjoyed a trouble-free afternoon, the same could not be said for his title rivals. Oscar Piastri had a more challenging weekend, finding it difficult to match his teammate’s performance. Starting seventh on the grid, the Australian dropped to ninth after a difficult first lap, but then steadily climbed back through the field. He overtook Yuki Tsunoda and George Russell on the track, and gained further positions during the pit stops. He eventually finished fifth, just behind the impressive Ollie Bearman.
Piastri later admitted that he had been forced to “drive the car very differently these last couple of weekends”, which has disrupted his usual flow after 18 consistent rounds earlier in the season. Despite losing the championship lead, the gap remains minimal, and the McLaren driver is confident that the team understands how to improve performance heading into São Paulo.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen managed to salvage third place after a dramatic start that saw four cars go side-by-side into Turn 1. Struggling with medium tyres early on, Verstappen nonetheless recovered thanks to clever strategy: he made just one pit stop and gained ground as others faltered. He chased Charles Leclerc to the flag and finished less than a second behind. This result leaves the four-time world champion 36 points behind Norris and still within reach for the title, although he needs a strong finish to remain in contention.
Leclerc Secures a ‘Surprise’ Podium as Ferrari Overpowers Mercedes
It was a weekend of mixed emotions for Ferrari in Mexico City, but there was undeniable progress. Charles Leclerc delivered another well-managed performance to secure second place, his second consecutive podium finish after Austin, helping the Scuderia to move back ahead of Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship.
Starting from second on the grid, Leclerc was involved in a wild four-car battle for the lead into Turn 1, ultimately settling behind Norris. He then managed his tyres expertly, holding off a late charge from Verstappen in the closing laps. The Monegasque driver described his podium finish as a “great surprise”, noting that Ferrari had not expected to be so competitive at a circuit that has historically proved challenging for them.
Leclerc’s result also marked his third consecutive podium finish in Mexico, while his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, endured a more frustrating race. The seven-time world champion was handed a 10-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Verstappen. This dropped him from a potential top-five finish to eighth place. Despite this setback, Ferrari’s 22-point haul was enough to overtake Mercedes and take second place in the standings, a welcome boost as the team shifts its development focus towards 2026.
Bearman Stars with Career-Best Fourth Place for Haas
One of the most inspiring stories of the weekend came from Haas rookie Ollie Bearman, who achieved a sensational fourth-place finish: the team’s best result in Formula 1 to date. Starting in ninth position, Bearman seized the opportunity presented by the chaos ahead, climbing to sixth place by the end of the first lap. He then overtook Verstappen on lap six after a fierce battle between the Red Bull driver and Hamilton created an opportunity.
Bearman ran as high as third for several laps after Hamilton’s penalty, holding his own against far more experienced rivals. Although Verstappen’s one-stop strategy eventually moved him back ahead, the young Briton kept Piastri behind to secure a very well-deserved fourth place.
“It’s a feel-good moment,” said Bearman afterwards. ‘To race side-by-side with Max is a very cool feeling. I grew up watching him. We didn’t luck into this; we finished there on merit.” His performance also earned him the “Driver of the Day” award from fans around the world, as well as lifting Haas above Kick Sauber in the Constructors’ standings. It was a day to remember for both the driver and the team.
Mercedes Shows Glimpses of Promise, but Questions Remain
For Mercedes, the Mexico weekend brought mixed results. Kimi Antonelli impressed with a composed drive to sixth place, finishing ahead of his teammate, George Russell, for the first time this season. Russell, on the other hand, had a more subdued afternoon and finished seventh, which was his worst result in Mexico since joining Mercedes in 2022.
The team’s inconsistent strategy execution and race pace remain a concern, and while Antonelli’s performance offers hope for the future, Mercedes is still lagging behind in both championships. With Ferrari now ahead in the standings and McLaren showing no signs of slowing down, the Silver Arrows face a crucial test in the season’s closing stages.
A Vibrant Mexican Celebration
From overtakes to strategic battles throughout the field, the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix showcased a thrilling race. As the paddock heads to São Paulo for the second-to-last sprint weekend of the year, the championship picture has never been tighter. Norris leads by just one point from his teammate Piastri. Verstappen is close behind, and Ferrari is on the rise against Mercedes.
The stage is set for an exciting Brazilian weekend and a far-from-over battle for the Driver’s World Title.
Written and edited by Jessica.
Featured Image Credit: formula1
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