Norris Dominates Final Mexico GP Practice

Lando Norris delivered a standout performance in the final practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix, putting McLaren firmly in contention for qualifying. His scorching lap of 1m16.633s left competitors trailing, signaling McLaren's strong pace ahead of a crucial qualifying session.

Why it matters:

• Norris's commanding lead in FP3, particularly over key rivals like Red Bull's Max Verstappen, suggests a significant shift in the competitive balance. This performance could be a crucial indicator of McLaren's potential to challenge for pole position, especially at a track where qualifying is often pivotal due to limited overtaking opportunities.
• Red Bull's continued struggles with car balance and grip, as voiced by Verstappen, indicate potential vulnerabilities for the championship leaders, opening the door for other teams to capitalize.

The Details:

• Norris's Dominance: Lando Norris set the fastest time, a 1m16.633s, finishing an impressive 0.345s ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) and 0.512s clear of George Russell (Mercedes), making it an all-British top three.
• McLaren's Pace: Oscar Piastri also showed improved speed, placing fifth, just behind Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), though he was 0.599s off his teammate's pace. McLaren's strong showing contrasts sharply with their Friday performance.
• Verstappen's Struggles: Max Verstappen finished sixth, 0.609s behind Norris, and continued to express frustration over his car's balance, citing low grip and inconsistent rear-end feel. Red Bull appeared unable to replicate their dominant form from the opening practice sessions.
• Tight Session: Despite Norris's lead, the session was tightly contested, with the top 13 drivers separated by less than a second, highlighting the potential for a close qualifying battle.
• Track Conditions: Soaring track temperatures, nearly 50°C, led to low grip conditions, catching out several drivers under braking. Alex Albon (Williams) had multiple excursions into the run-off area, while Carlos Sainz (Williams) also tested the limits.
• Other Notable Performances: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) secured seventh, with Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) impressing in eighth. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) was ninth, just a tenth off his teammate Verstappen.
• Alonso's Setback: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) lost valuable track time due to car work, preventing him from completing a soft-tyre run and leaving him in 20th position.

What's next:

All eyes are now on qualifying, which is set to begin at 3 p.m. local time (8 a.m. AEDT).

• Given the tight margins in the midfield and Red Bull's unexpected difficulties, qualifying promises to be highly unpredictable.
• McLaren's sudden surge in pace, particularly with Norris at the helm, positions them as strong contenders for pole, potentially challenging Ferrari and Mercedes, who also showed strong single-lap speed.
• Verstappen's ability to overcome his car's balance issues will be critical for Red Bull to secure a front-row start and maintain their championship aspirations in Mexico.