Norris Dominates Final Practice in Mexico

Lando Norris sent a clear statement in the final practice session for the Mexican Grand Prix, topping the charts by a commanding 0.345 seconds. What began as an incredibly tight session, with the top six separated by mere hundredths, dramatically spread out in the closing minutes as teams pushed for qualifying simulation runs. Norris's performance positions McLaren strongly ahead of qualifying, while championship leader Max Verstappen struggled with grip, finishing a distant sixth.

Why it matters:

• Norris's significant margin in FP3 suggests McLaren has found a sweet spot at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, potentially setting them up for a strong qualifying performance.
• Max Verstappen's struggles with grip, even on a lower power setting, indicate Red Bull might not have the outright advantage they've enjoyed in previous weekends, opening the door for rivals.
• The unpredictable nature of the session, with multiple teams briefly holding P1, points to a potentially thrilling qualifying session where any of the top teams could challenge for pole.

The details:

• Norris's Pace: Lando Norris clocked a 1m16.633s, leading a McLaren-Ferrari-Mercedes top three. His time was notably faster than the rest of the field, showcasing strong pace.
• Top Three: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) was second, 0.345s behind Norris, followed by George Russell (Mercedes) in third, 0.512s back.
• Verstappen's Struggles: Max Verstappen could only manage sixth, 0.609s off Norris, citing a lack of grip. This is an unusual position for the Red Bull driver who has been dominant this season.
• McLaren's Strength: Oscar Piastri, in the second McLaren, finished fifth, indicating strong overall performance from the team.
• Session Incidents: The session was marked by numerous lock-ups, errors in the stadium section, and traffic issues, particularly for Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, who finished 15th and 16th respectively.
• Alonso's Absence: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) completed the fewest laps and did not run soft tires, finishing last, suggesting a focus on race setup rather than single-lap pace.

What's next:

Qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix is set to be a highly anticipated session. Given the varied performance in FP3, and Verstappen's uncharacteristic struggles, the battle for pole position looks wide open. Teams will be working hard to understand the nuances of tire degradation and optimal setup at this high-altitude circuit to gain any possible advantage.