Mexico City GP: Saturday's Qualifying Highlights in Pictures

Saturday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez delivered a thrilling qualifying session, with McLaren's Lando Norris stealing the show. A 'flyer for the ages' in Q3 saw the Briton secure pole position for Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting race.

Why it matters:

• Lando Norris's unexpected pole position injects significant excitement into the Mexico City GP, challenging the dominance of usual front-runners. This result could dramatically shift race strategies and create an unpredictable outcome, especially given Norris's recent strong form.

The details:

• Norris's Stellar Lap: Lando Norris delivered a sensational lap in Q3, outperforming his rivals and securing his first pole position since Russia 2021. This performance highlights McLaren's consistent improvement and Norris's exceptional driving skill.
• McLaren's Momentum: The pole position underscores McLaren's resurgence in the latter half of the season, consistently challenging for podiums and now poles.
• Strategic Implications: Starting from pole in Mexico City, a track known for its long run down to Turn 1, gives Norris a crucial advantage, though managing tire degradation and battling potential slipstreamers will be key.

The big picture:

• This pole position is a testament to McLaren's relentless development efforts throughout the season. What started as a challenging year has transformed into a highly competitive campaign, with both Norris and Oscar Piastri consistently performing at a high level. Their progress suggests they could be a serious threat in future seasons, pushing established top teams like Red Bull and Mercedes.

What's next:

• All eyes will be on Lando Norris and McLaren for Sunday's race. Can Norris convert his pole into a victory, or will the high-altitude challenges and competitive grid prove too much? The race promises intense battles, strategic gambles, and potentially a new winner on the top step of the podium.