Lando Norris Dominates Mexico City GP Final Practice Leaving Title Challengers Behind as Lewis Hamilton Takes Second
Lando Norris showcased impressive speed during the final practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, positioning himself for a competitive qualifying round. Norris set a remarkable lap time of 1:16.633, surpassing Lewis Hamilton by 0.345 seconds and creating a significant gap over his competitors.
Lando Norris Dominates Final Practice
At the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Norris’s performance marked a substantial improvement for McLaren after concerns about their single-lap pace. His quick lap on soft tires highlighted both his skill and the team’s capability to adapt.
Key Performance Insights
- Fastest Lap: Lando Norris, McLaren – 1:16.633
- Second Place: Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari – +0.345s
- Third Place: George Russell, Mercedes – +0.512s
- Fourth Place: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – +0.566s
- Fifth Place: Oscar Piastri, McLaren – +0.599s
- Sixth Place: Max Verstappen, Red Bull – +0.609s
During the session, Hamilton struggled at first, going off track multiple times. Despite this, he managed to secure a strong second-place finish. George Russell’s third place indicates that Mercedes could pose a challenge during qualifying, alongside Piastri and Verstappen, who both fell behind in the standings.
Driver Reactions
Commenting on Norris’s performance, Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok noted, “Lando has been on fire in this session.” His consistent rhythm has made him a noteworthy contender, especially as he aims to close the gap with championship leader Piastri.
Final Practice Times
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:16.633 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.345 |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.512 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.566 |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.599 |
| 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.609 |
| 10 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +1.978 |
Looking Ahead
As the Mexico City Grand Prix approaches, anticipation builds for the qualifying session. With Norris setting a high standard, competitors will need to elevate their game to keep pace. Tune in for the qualifying session at 10 PM on Saturday, October 25, with the race following on Sunday, October 26, at 8 PM.