Mexico City GP: Championship Standings, F1 Times, Stats & Facts Ahead of Crucial Race

Formula 1 heads into its final five races with an electrifying three-way battle for the drivers' championship. McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are fighting for their maiden titles, but four-time world champion Max Verstappen has surged back into contention, rapidly closing the points gap in recent races. The pressure is mounting as every point in Mexico City will be crucial for championship aspirations.

Why it matters:

The 2025 F1 season is reaching a thrilling climax, with the championship battle shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. A resurgent Max Verstappen challenging the McLaren duo of Piastri and Norris adds immense drama, turning what was once a two-horse race into a high-stakes three-way showdown. The Mexico City Grand Prix, with its unique high-altitude challenges, could be a pivotal moment.

The details:

• Championship Standings: Oscar Piastri leads with 346 points, followed by Lando Norris (332 points), and Max Verstappen (306 points). The gaps are tight: Piastri is 14 points ahead of Norris, and Verstappen is just 40 points behind Piastri.
• Verstappen's Resurgence: After expressing disbelief at being a title contender just 49 days ago, Verstappen has cut into the McLaren drivers' lead significantly, now vying for his fifth world title.
• McLaren's Strategy: McLaren is focused on maintaining composure to counter Verstappen's threat, with Piastri confident in his lead despite it being reduced.
• Carlos Sainz Penalty: Ferrari's Carlos Sainz will face a five-place grid penalty at the Mexico City GP due to a collision with Andrea Kimi Antonelli at the U.S. Grand Prix.
• FP1 Debutants: Three rising stars will participate in Free Practice 1: Jak Crawford for Aston Martin, Pato O'Ward for McLaren (in Norris' car), and Luke Browning for Williams.
• Colton Herta's F2 Move: American driver Colton Herta will join Formula 2 in 2026, a rare move aimed at proving his F1 credentials.

The big picture:

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, at 7,300 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level, is the highest circuit on the F1 calendar. This extreme altitude significantly impacts car performance, reducing air density to about 78% of sea level. Teams run maximum downforce packages yet achieve Monza-level top speeds due to the thin air's paradox. This unique challenge can often reshuffle the competitive order, making it an unpredictable venue where power unit cooling, brake management, and aerodynamic efficiency are pushed to their limits.

What's next:

The Mexico City Grand Prix weekend promises intense competition, with a warm and sunny forecast. Every session, from practice to qualifying and the race, will be critical. Given Verstappen's recent form and the narrow points margins, the performance in Mexico could significantly swing the momentum in the championship fight. The strategic calls by teams and the drivers' ability to handle the unique challenges of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will determine who emerges with a crucial advantage heading into the final four races of the season.