Mexican Grand Prix Review: Lawson's Near-Miss, Hamilton's Penalty, and Norris's Dominance

The Mexico City Grand Prix delivered a mix of controversy and dominant performances, highlighted by Liam Lawson's alarming near-miss with a marshal, Lewis Hamilton's frustration over a penalty, and Lando Norris's commanding victory.

Why it matters:

• The Mexico City Grand Prix was packed with drama, from serious safety concerns to championship implications. These incidents underscore the high stakes and constant challenges faced by drivers and race officials alike, while Norris's win further solidifies McLaren's resurgence.

The Details:

• Lawson's Close Call: Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson expressed outrage after nearly colliding with an F1 marshal during the opening lap of the Mexico City Grand Prix. Lawson was forced to pit after a front-wing breaking collision with Carlos Sainz at Turn 1.
• Hamilton's Penalty Frustration: Lewis Hamilton received a 10-second time penalty after an intense battle with Max Verstappen. Hamilton contested the lead into the first corner, where both Charles Leclerc and Verstappen went off-track. Hamilton's frustration was evident, as the penalty significantly impacted his race.
• Verstappen's VSC Reaction: Max Verstappen finished third after a "hectic survival" race, but felt the late-race Virtual Safety Car (VSC) denied him a chance to challenge Charles Leclerc for second place. He argued that the VSC was contentiously called, as Carlos Sainz's stricken car was already behind the barriers.
• Piastri's Performance Struggle: Oscar Piastri admitted to making "major" changes to his driving style to address a recent slump in form. Lando Norris has erased Piastri's 34-point advantage in just five rounds, indicating a challenging period for the young McLaren driver.
• Norris's Dominance and Boos: Lando Norris secured a dominant victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, winning by a staggering 30 seconds. Despite his impressive performance, Norris was met with significant boos from the crowd.

Race Results and Overall Picture:

• Lando Norris converted pole position into an emphatic victory, cruising to a 30-second lead over Charles Leclerc, who finished second. Max Verstappen completed the podium in third. The chaos and incidents behind Norris highlighted a race full of unpredictable moments, but his control at the front was absolute.

What's next:

• The incidents involving Lawson and Hamilton are likely to spark further discussions on race safety protocols and penalty consistency within the FIA. McLaren's strong performance, particularly Norris's dominance, positions them as a formidable contender for the remainder of the season, while Piastri will be looking for a strong comeback in the upcoming races to regain his form.