Lando Norris avoided early mayhem to win the Mexico City Grand Prix from pole position and take the Formula One world championship lead from McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by a single point on Sunday.
Australian Piastri, who had started the race in seventh place and 14 points clear of the Briton, finished fifth after a frustrating race.
Charles Leclerc was runner-up for Ferrari, 30.3 seconds behind Norris, while Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen took his sixth successive podium in third place after a nailbiting finish just 0.7 behind the Monegasque.
Oliver Bearman was fourth for Haas in a career best result for the Briton, a late virtual safety car ending Piastri's hopes of getting past. Lewis Hamiton was hit with a costly 10-second penalty, and finished eighth.
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F1 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- Lando Norris wins in Mexico; Leclerc 2nd; Verstappen 3rd
- Norris now leads the world championship by one point to Oscar Piastri
- PENALTY! Hamilton receives 10-second sanction
- CLASH! Verstappen drops to fifth behind Bearman
- START! Norris keeps lead from pole as Verstappen cuts across the grass
F1 driver standings after Mexico GP
01:00 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 357 points
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 356 points
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 321 points
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 258 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 210 points
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 146 points
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 97 points
8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 73 points
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 41 points
10. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 39 points
11. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 38 points
12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 37 points
13. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 32 points
14. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 32 points
15. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 30 points
16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 30 points
17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 28 points
18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 20 points
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 19 points
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points
21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points
‘I could have killed them’: Liam Lawson narrowly avoids marshals running on track
00:20 , Kieran JacksonLiam Lawson narrowly avoided disaster after two marshals ran onto the track at the Mexico City Grand Prix – with the F1 driver saying: “I could have killed them.”
The New Zealander pitted after the first lap following a collision with Carlos Sainz at turn one, which resulted in debris on track.
Full details below:
‘I could have killed them’: Liam Lawson narrowly avoids marshals F1 running on track
Lando Norris boos from Mexican fans slammed by F1 pundits: ‘I hate it’
22:45 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris was surprisingly booed by the crowd after his victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday.
The McLaren driver, starting on pole, kept the lead at the start and then cruised to a 30-second victory over second-placed Charles Leclerc, with Max Verstappen completing the podium.
The result gives Norris the F1 world championship lead for the first time since April, overtaking Oscar Piastri in the standings after the Australian could only manage fifth. That being said, the gap between the McLaren drivers is just one point with four races to go.
Yet Norris, both as he was interviewed straight after the race in the famous stadium section and when he stepped onto the podium, was jeered by the vociferous Mexican crowd.
Lando Norris boos from Mexican fans slammed by F1 pundits: ‘I hate it’
Time for the podium
22:35 , Kieran JacksonNorris again is booed as he makes his way onto the top step of the podium.
Really strange that - can’t think of any reason Norris wouldn’t be liked by the Mexican fans.
Anyhow, he looks happy enough as the British national anthem plays out! His first win since July - and one that puts him in the championship lead.
Max Verstappen on finishing third:
22:20 , Kieran Jackson“A very hectic beginning, such a long run to turn 1. Almost crashed over the grass, there was a lot going on, the medium was a struggle, it was about surviving the first stint.
“Once we put on the softs, we were more competitive. It’s still a very strong result.
On late VSC: “You win some, you lose some. Sometimes the safety car works for you, sometimes against you.”
Charles Leclerc after finishing second:
22:13 , Kieran Jackson“Very happy with this weekend, we didn’t know what to expect, to end up again on the podium is a great surprise.
“I was quite happy about the safety car, my tyres were completely gone, the safety car saved me at the end.”
Fight for the world championship
22:06 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 357 points
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 356 points (-1)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 321 points (-35)
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 258 points (-63)
Lando Norris on his Mexico GP victory:
21:58 , Kieran Jackson“I love it! What a race - I just keep eyes forward and focused on what I was doing. A pretty straightforward race for me, good launch and could go from there.
“A big launch. This is awesome here. First win here in Mexico. A big thanks to all the fans.
“It’s one weekend at a time. I’m happy, focused on myself, keep my head down, it’s working at the minute.”
Oddly, a few boos for Norris in the stadium section. Not sure why....
Lando Norris after his win:
21:46 , Kieran Jackson“Beautiful weekend, well done everyone, incredible result.”
Top-10 in Mexico
21:46 , Kieran Jackson1) Lando Norris - McLaren
2) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
3) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
4) Ollie Bearman - Haas
5) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
6) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
7) George Russell - Mercedes
8) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
9) Esteban Ocon - Haas
10) Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber
Lando Norris wins the Mexico City GP
21:43 , Kieran JacksonWhat a dominant performance from Lando Norris - he takes the victory in Mexico City!
And with it the title lead - by one point to fifth-placed Oscar Piastri!
Charles Leclerc keeps second from Max Verstappen, while Ollie Bearman takes fourth ahead of Piastri.
6-10: Antonelli, Russell, Hamilton, Ocon, Bortoleto
Final lap! (Lap 71/71)
21:41 , Kieran JacksonVerstappen forced to sit just behind Leclerc for the final lap!
And Sainz’s car is behind the barrier!
Ah dear... robbed of a great finale!
VSC (Lap 70/71)
21:40 , Kieran JacksonOh no!
Carlos Sainz’s Williams car is stranded in the stadium section!
It means Verstappen will probably be thwarted, as will Piastri.
Verstappen within DRS of Leclerc (Lap 69/71)
21:38 , Kieran JacksonThree laps left - and Verstappen is within DRS of Leclerc.
Piastri also has DRS on Bearman - in which he would keep the title lead if he can make the overtake.
Dramatic moments here...
Verstappen closing in on second-placed Leclerc (Lap 65/71)
21:33 , Kieran JacksonThe Red Bull driver is really closing in on Charles Leclerc - he now trails by just three seconds.
Verstappen’s engineer: “This is an insane stint Max, just finish it off.”
It would be a hell of a recovery drive from the Dutchman if he could nick second.
Top-10: Norris, Leclerc, Verstappen, Bearman, Piastri, Antonelli, Russell, Hamilton, Ocon, Bortoleto
Piastri passes Russell (Lap 62/71)
21:31 , Kieran JacksonBig move from the Australian!
Piastri makes a dive down the inside at turn 1 – and makes it stick!
Up to fifth – two more points in the championship.
Mexico City Grand Prix
21:31 , Kieran Jackson
Norris extends lead to 27 seconds (Lap 57/71)
21:24 , Kieran JacksonCruise control for Lando Norris - but Max Verstappen is slowly closing in on Charles Leclerc in second! The gap is now seven seconds.
Ollie Bearman is heading further behind Verstappen - must say, not entirely sure Haas needed to pit him! There was a potential podium for him...
4-10: Bearman, Russell, Piastri, Antonelli, Hamilton, Ocon, Hadjar
Bearman and Russell pit (Lap 49/71)
21:12 , Kieran JacksonA lot of cars are coming in then for the two-stop, switching back to the quicker soft tyre!
Both the competitors for third place pit - and Bearman stays ahead in the pit-lane!
So... Verstappen is up to third, with Verstappen a big 16 seconds up the road. It’s a big call.
Three cars pit! (Lap 48/71)
21:10 , Kieran JacksonWow!
Antonelli, Piastri and Hamilton all pit!
And Piastri’s stop is quicker and gets ahead of the Mercedes in the pit-lane.
Top-10 now: Norris, Leclerc, Bearman, Russell, Verstappen, Ocon, Piastri, Antonelli, Hamilton, Hadjar
Verstappen passes Hamilton (Lap 48/71)
21:09 , Kieran JacksonNo contact or controversy this time - just more pace!
Verstappen comfortably passes the Ferrari car down the main straight.
Lando Norris has a 20-second lead (Lap 46/71)
21:08 , Kieran JacksonWith his F1 title rivals toiling behind him, Norris has a 20-second lead and is keeps on growing.
What a day this is turning out to be for the Brit.
Leclerc’s lead over Bearman in third is six seconds, while the Haas driver is holding his own over Russell, with that gap still two seconds.
What a story this could be for Haas.
Mercedes swap drivers (Lap 40/71)
21:03 , Kieran JacksonWith Russell fuming about being under pressure from Piastri behind, Mercedes opt to swap positions.
Piastri now right on the rear of Antonelli.
Russell goes up to fourth - and can haul in Ollie Bearman in third place. The gap is two seconds.
Max Verstappen pits (Lap 38/71)
21:01 , Kieran JacksonVerstappen set to make some moves then, with the Red Bull driver pitting onto softs but dropping down to eighth.
Every one of the frontrunners has now pitted. Norris’ lead is 17 seconds.
Top-10: Norris, Leclerc, Bearman, Antonelli, Russell, Piastri, Hamilton, Verstappen, Sainz, Ocon
This could be an unbelievable day for Haas and their rookie driver! He has a 1.3-second lead to Antonelli right now...
Why Lewis Hamilton got a 10-second time penalty at Mexico GP
20:54 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton was hit with a costly 10-second time penalty in the Mexico City Grand Prix after an incident with Max Verstappen.
In an early battle for third place, Red Bull’s Verstappen lunged down the inside at turn one – with Hamilton defending valiantly to keep the position.
Yet further down the road at turn four, Hamilton took the outside line and went off-track. Initially, the Brit took the escape road but then cut across the grass, giving him a hefty advantage over Verstappen back on the road. The Dutchman, in the same turn, lost fourth place to Haas’ Ollie Bearman.
Why Lewis Hamilton got a 10-second time penalty at Mexico GP
Lando Norris pits (Lap 35/71)
20:51 , Kieran JacksonA few laps on - and Norris pits with a 2.6-second stop.
A safe passage through the pits - with the Brit back out in first with a eight second lead over Max Verstappen, who is yet to pit.
Top-10: Norris, Verstappen, Leclerc, Bearman, Antonelli, Russell, Piastri, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Bortoleto
Charles Leclerc pits (Lap 32/71)
20:47 , Kieran JacksonLeclerc makes his move first, diving into the pits, and coming out in third - behind Verstappen.
Will Norris respond immediately?
Russell pits (Lap 26/71)
20:39 , Kieran JacksonMercedes pit their main man and he gets out ahead of Piastri.
The running order is all shaken up now then.
Norris’ lead over Leclerc is still hefty - 13 seconds.
Piastri and Bearman pit (Lap 25/71)
20:38 , Kieran JacksonBearman. pits and comes out in ninth, while Hamilton has dropped behind Piastri.
Can Haas claim a surprise podium here?
Hamilton pits (Lap 24/71)
20:36 , Kieran JacksonThe Ferrari driver pits and serves his penalty - a 13.5 second stop in total - and he comes back out in 14th.
Bearman up to third!
Antonelli pits (Lap 23/71)
20:35 , Kieran JacksonAntonelli opts to dive in, onto mediums, with Piastri now within DRS of the Mercedes of George Russell.
Cloest battle on track right now this, the battle for sixth.
Hamilton reaction to penalty (Lap 22/71)
20:33 , Kieran Jackson“That’s such s*** man. The grip is so small there, the grip there is so low.”
Piastri on the rear of Antonelli (Lap 21/71)
20:31 , Kieran JacksonPiastri can’t squeeze past the Mercedes right now in the battle for seventh - these are crucial moments for his title lead this.
Norris is really stretching his legs now, with a nine-second lead over Leclerc now.
Top-10: Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Bearman, Verstappen, Antonelli, Russell, Piastri, Tsunoda, Ocon
When will the frontrunners opt to pit?
Lewis Hamilton receives a 10-second time penalty
20:25 , Kieran JacksonOh dear.
Hamilton has a 10-second penalty for when he left the track just after the clash with Verstappen - he used the escape road, but then cut the corner!
It’s a hefty blow that.
Could this be a first podium for Haas today then?! Bearman is currently in fourth...
Lando Norris comfortable in front (Lap 14/71)
20:21 , Kieran JacksonThis has worked out so well for Lando.
With his title competitors struggling, Norris now has a 3.4-second lead to Leclerc.
Verstappen in fifth is not within DRS of Ollie Bearman in fourth and seemingly struggling on the mediums right now.
Top-10: Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Bearman, Verstappen, Antonelli, Russell, Piastri, Tsunoda, Ocon
Piastri takes eighth place from Tsunoda (Lap 11/71)
20:19 , Kieran JacksonA really key move for the championship leader, who has superior pace on the main straight to cruise past Tsunoda.
Eighth for Piastri. Next up, George Russell in seventh - 1.6 seconds down the road.
It should be said that if the order stays the same, Norris would be leading the world championship tonight.
Lawson out
20:15 , Kieran JacksonLiam Lawson had an issue at the start and has retired from the grand prix.
Hamilton: “What are they doing about people who took advantage at turn 1?”
Engineer: “Nothing yet, let’s focus on our race.”
Hamilton now two seconds clear of Bearman.
At the front, Norris has a 2.6-second lead to Leclerc...
Verstappen and Hamilton in combat (Lap 6/71)
20:13 , Kieran JacksonDrama for third place, with Verstappen diving down the inside at turn one.
The pair briefly touch, Verstappen cuts the corner again, and then gives third back to Hamilton.
Meanwhile, Ollie Bearman for Haas makes a move to take fourth place from the Red Bull driver.
Top-10: Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Bearman, Verstappen, Antonelli, Russell, Tsunoda, Piastri, Ocon
Norris outside of DRS
20:08 , Kieran JacksonNorris is storming clear at the moment, with a 1.4 second lead ahead of Leclerc.
Meanwhile, Russell in fifth is not happy with Verstappen’s turn one move.
Russell: “I mean it’s ridiculous, the guy just cuts across the grass and keeps position.”
It has been noted by the stewards...
Norris keeps the lead
20:06 , Kieran JacksonBrilliant start from Norris off the line, but an even better start from Verstappen!
They’re four abreast heading into turn 1 - Verstappen goes wildly off track and onto the grass, while Leclerc goes off too!
Leclerc gives first place back to Norris, while Verstappen has to concede third to Hamilton.
Further back, it’s been a nightmare start for Piastri, who’s dropped from seventh to ninth!
Lando Norris leads the 20-car pack around for the formation lap then.
The top-four are on soft tyres, with Verstappen in fifth on mediums. Six cars in total are on mediums. Piastri also on softs.
Who will lead coming out of turn 1-2 here?!
A reminder of the starting grid in Mexico:
19:58 , Kieran Jackson1) Lando Norris - McLaren
2) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
3) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
4) George Russell - Mercedes
5) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
6) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
7) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
8) Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
9) Ollie Bearman - Haas
10) Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
11) Esteban Ocon - Haas
12) Carlos Sainz - Williams*
13) Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber
14) Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
15) Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
16) Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber
17) Alex Albon - Williams
18) Pierre Gasly - Alpine
19) Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
20) Franco Colapinto - Alpine
*Sainz has a five-place grid penalty after being penalised for a collision with Antonelli at the last race in Austin
Mexico City Grand Prix
19:55 , Kieran JacksonHere we go then - we’re just five minutes away from the Mexico City Grand Prix!
Lando Norris is on pole position but it’s a very long run down to turn 1 - can Charles Leclerc in second or Lewis Hamilton in third get into the lead?
Further back, Max Verstappen starts in fifth with Oscar Piastri in seventh - how quickly can they move through the order?
Big day in the championship race this.
Lando Norris, ahead of starting on pole:
19:52 , Kieran Jackson“It’s a long race, a bit hotter today, wind has picked up and changed direction.
“A lot of deg and question marks around tyres, but we’re confident in our approach.”
Gabriel Bortoleto, starting in 16th:
19:48 , Kieran JacksonHow do you feel? “Very good. Track is still a bit dirty and still a bit hot here, so it’s going to be crazy.”
Time for the Mexican national anthem
19:46 , Kieran JacksonPerformed by the Mariachi Gama 1000 orchestra on the grid in Mexico City.
About half the drivers have umbrellas on the grid, given track temperatures around the 45C mark.
A reminder of Norris's pole lap on Saturday
19:42 , Kieran JacksonThat pole lap from Lando 🥶 pic.twitter.com/vSBoIHFS8E
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 26, 2025
Mexico GP qualifying - ghost car
19:39 , Kieran JacksonGhost Car 👻 Mexico City edition!
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 26, 2025
Ride onboard with Charles Leclerc as he battles for pole with Lando Norris 🍿#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/lVwCzoWwMt
Sergio Perez on F1 return next year with Cadillac:
19:35 , Kieran JacksonOn not driving at Mexico GP: “It’s being out of the paddock, it feels strange. I will be watching the race on Sunday from my sofa.”
On return: “It took me a while, a good six months, to realise I wanted to come back and finish my career properly. I needed the right project.”
Speaking to Sky Sports
Top-10 in the driver standings with five races to go
19:30 , Kieran JacksonPiastri’s lead is 14 points over Norris and now only 40 over Verstappen:
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 346 points
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 332 points
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 306 points
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 252 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 192 points
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 142 points
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 89 points
8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 73 points
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 41 points
10. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 39 points
Lewis Hamilton tells McLaren title rivals to copy ‘cut-throat’ Max Verstappen
19:24 , Kieran Jackson“The pressure is high. It is a time where you have to put your blinkers up and block everything from the outside. There is so much coming in, positive and negative,” Ferrari driver Hamilton told Sky Sports.
“Also, you really have to be cut-throat and that is what Max is. He is going to take this from them if they don’t do the same.
“They have got to be pushing and you have to dig deep firstly to be able to hold off someone like Max in the car that he is in at the moment.
“But for either of them to come out ahead, consistency is key and we have seen that from Max in the last few races.”
This is a cool list:
19:20 , Kieran JacksonThe Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is comfortably the highest altitude circuit on the calendar 👀#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/hEqOS2iypb
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 26, 2025
Constructor standings heading into round 20
19:15 , Kieran Jackson1. McLaren - 678 points (champions)
2. Mercedes - 341 points
3. Ferrari - 334 points
4. Red Bull - 331 points
5. Williams - 111 points
6. Racing Bulls - 72 points
7. Aston Martin - 69 points
8. Sauber - 59 points
9. Haas - 48 points
10. Alpine - 20 points
Verstappen on Perez's 2026 return
19:12 , Kieran JacksonChestappen 🥹
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 26, 2025
The home hero Sergio Perez will be back on the grid for the next Mexico City Grand Prix... 🇲🇽#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/AP911r394Z
Max Verstappen on 'positive pressure' of this year's title race:
19:07 , Kieran Jackson“I just want to try and win races until the end of the season. We had a good run and we also know as a team that it needs to be perfect to have a chance. So, if it works, then great, unbelievable comeback.
“Of course, I’ve won championships very late, very early. Now, this one, of course, is very different because I think for most of the season it was a lot harder for us.
“To be able to still be in this fight is very surprising but I take it. For me, it’s just positive pressure. I’m loving what I’m doing. If the car is competitive, it’s much better to be racing in it than when it’s not.”
A reminder of the starting grid in Mexico:
19:00 , Kieran Jackson1) Lando Norris - McLaren
2) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
3) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
4) George Russell - Mercedes
5) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
6) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
7) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
8) Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
9) Ollie Bearman - Haas
10) Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
11) Esteban Ocon - Haas
12) Carlos Sainz - Williams*
13) Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber
14) Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
15) Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
16) Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber
17) Alex Albon - Williams
18) Pierre Gasly - Alpine
19) Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
20) Franco Colapinto - Alpine
*Sainz has a five-place grid penalty after being penalised for a collision with Antonelli at the last race in Austin
Oscar Piastri, speaking ahead of this race:
18:54 , Kieran Jackson“Need to try and pass a few cars, try and unlock some pace - it’s been a tricky one.”
Drivers parade in Mexico
18:48 , Kieran JacksonA typically vibrant atmosphere in Mexico City as the drivers are paraded around the circuit ahead of round 20!
Lewis Hamilton after his P3, and best qualifying of the year:
18:42 , Kieran Jackson“I’m really happy, honoured to be up here with Charles and Lando, these guys have been so quick all year, the first time we’ve been top-three in qualifying.
“Super grateful for the team for continuing to push, we’ve extracted more out of it.
On race: “It’s hard to beat these two guys, P3 is the perfect spot at this track. Our racepace is not too bad, it’ll be an amazing crowd tomorrow.”
Max Verstappen makes astonishing ‘retirement’ claim ahead of Mexico GP
18:36 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen believes he will need cars ahead of him to “retire” to go up the order in Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix after only qualifying fifth on the grid.
In a surprise turn of form, Red Bull’s Verstappen struggled for pace and will start on the third row, between the Mercedes drivers of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Full quotes below:
Max Verstappen makes astonishing ‘retirement’ claim ahead of Mexico GP
Arvid Lindblad embraces the F1 ‘deep end’ with teen in contention for 2026 seat
18:29 , Kieran JacksonBritish teenager Arvid Lindblad believes he will find a way to succeed in Formula One as he bids to land a seat for next season.
The 18-year-old impressed again while driving Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in first practice at the Mexican Grand Prix on Friday. Lindblad has been part of part of the Red Bull setup since the age of 14 and was granted an FIA super licence aged 17 after a request from the team.
Full story below:
Arvid Lindblad embraces the F1 ‘deep end’ with teen in contention for 2026 seat
Jacques Villeneuve slams ‘very soft’ McLaren racing rules with Norris and Piastri
17:59 , Kieran JacksonJacques Villeneuve believes McLaren’s “papaya rules” is very soft as drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris vie for their first F1 world championship.
Piastri revealed that the McLaren drivers now have a “clean slate” until the end of the season, after the team previously suggested Norris faced “repercussions” over their collision in Singapore earlier this month.
Yet Piastri hitting Norris in last week’s sprint in Austin has balanced out the driver preference with five races to go of the 2025 season. Piastri’s lead is 14 points over Norris and 40 points ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Full quotes below:
Jacques Villeneuve slams ‘very soft’ McLaren F1 racing rules with Norris and Piastri
F1 2025 title race: Piastri vs Norris vs Verstappen – where will it be won and lost?
17:34 , Kieran JacksonPreview by Kieran Jackson
The battle for the 2025 F1 drivers’ title is heating up and with five rounds remaining this season, it’s now a three-horse race.
Oscar Piastri’s lead has been whittled down in recent weeks and his advantage over McLaren teammate Lando Norris is now just 14 points, having gone three races without a podium finish.
Yet storming up behind both papaya drivers is Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, chasing a fifth consecutive championship. The Dutchman, from a deficit of 104 points in August, is now just 40 off Piastri with 141 points still to play for.
F1 2025 title race: Piastri vs Norris vs Verstappen – where will it be won and lost?
Lando Norris' reaction after pole:
16:30 , Kieran Jackson"What a lap!"
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2025
Very well said, Lando 😮💨🙌#F1 #MexicoGP @McLarenF1 pic.twitter.com/eKlrTe4Xz4
Qualifying report: Lando Norris leaves F1 title rivals trailing in his wake with statement Mexico GP pole
16:00 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris left F1 title rivals Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri trailing in his wake as he stormed to pole position at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Norris ended his six-race run without pole position, his last coming in Belgium in July, by dominating the field and beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.262 seconds.
It was a significant boost to Norris’ title hopes as rivals Verstappen and Piastri struggled to fifth and eighth respectively.
Norris leaves F1 title rivals trailing in his wake with statement Mexico GP pole
Lando Norris on 'good position' in world championship
16:00 , Kieran Jackson“I’m in a good position. I’m second. Probably prefer being first but I’m also in second with nothing to lose,” Norris said in Mexico.
“I’m in a comfortable place. I’m also not a guy who believes in momentum. Every weekend is so different.
“I’ve just been performing well recently and I’ll continue that. Same as Max has been doing very well recently.”
How many races are left?
14:00 , Kieran JacksonROUND 20 - MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 24-26 October
ROUND 21 - BRAZIL (sprint weekend)
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 7-9 November
ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Street Circuit - 20-22 November
ROUND 23 - QATAR (sprint weekend)
Lusail International Circuit, Lusail - 28-30 November
ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI
Yas Marina Circuit - 5-7 December
Oscar Piastri says Max Verstappen’s world title challenge is a ‘bit of a surprise’
10:00 , Kieran JacksonAsked if he believed after Zandvoort that his title fight was only with Norris, Piastri said: “I think probably yes but everyone did. The run of form that he (Verstappen) has had since Monza has been a bit of a surprise.
“There were flashes of that performance early in the season but also pretty big dips. He has come to the fight quicker than I expected.
“The gap has shrunk a bit in the last few races but the focus has always been on going as fast as I can.
“I’d rather have the lead than being in any other spot. There is no benefit for me in worrying about that or focusing on that.”
What is the starting grid?
02:00 , Kieran Jackson1) Lando Norris - McLaren
2) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
3) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
4) George Russell - Mercedes
5) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
6) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
7) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
8) Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
9) Ollie Bearman - Haas
10) Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
11) Esteban Ocon - Haas
12) Carlos Sainz - Williams*
13) Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber
14) Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
15) Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
16) Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber
17) Alex Albon - Williams
18) Pierre Gasly - Alpine
19) Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
20) Franco Colapinto - Alpine
*Sainz has a five-place grid penalty after being penalised for a collision with Antonelli at the last race in Austin
Oscar Piastri confused by lack of pace
Sunday 26 October 2025 00:31 , Kieran JacksonAsked where he felt the issues were with the car, Piastri was unable to give any clarity, telling Sky Sports: “It all feels OK, just no pace. It’s a bit of a mystery.
“It’s been more or less the same gap all weekend, we’ll have a look where it is going wrong. Obviously a bit frustrating”
Asked to elaborate further on how the car feels different to earlier in the year: “Not a huge amount to be honest, this weekend and last weekend it’s just felt like the pace hasn’t come. Not 100% sure why yet, we’ll do some digging.
“I’ll try my best [at the start], that will be an opportunity to make some progress forwards, so we’ll see what we can do.”
What time is the race on Sunday?
Sunday 26 October 2025 00:01 , Kieran JacksonThe Mexico City Grand Prix starts at 8pm (GMT).
Charles Leclerc on qualifying after P2:
Saturday 25 October 2025 23:30 , Kieran Jackson“I’m pretty happy with the job we've done, there wasn’t much left in the car.
On race: “We’ll do our best into the first coener and see what’s possible.”
Top-10 for tomorrow's race
Saturday 25 October 2025 23:20 , Kieran Jackson1) Lando Norris - McLaren
2) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
3) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
4) George Russell - Mercedes
5) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
6) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
7) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
8) Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
9) Ollie Bearman - Haas
10) Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
Lando Norris, on his pole position:
Saturday 25 October 2025 23:12 , Kieran JacksonOn his lap: “I’m happy to be back on pole, it’s been quite a long time. The lap - I dunno, you don’t really know what happened, it felt decent, I was very pleasantly surprised. I’ve felt good all weekend. Bit nervous of the Ferrari in Q3 at the end - but very happy with that.
On race preparation: “I’ve not been sleeping well lately, maybe that’s the key. I’ve had some good races here in the past, just focus, that’s all I can do.”
On race/title race: “I’m here to win. I’ll be looking forward, I know I’ve got some quick guys behind me, the racepace from the Ferrari is very fast, I know it won’t be easy.”
That’s McLaren’s first pole in Mexico since 1990.
Norris on team radio:
Saturday 25 October 2025 23:05 , Kieran Jackson“Ah what a lap, what a lap. I don’t know how I did that. The less I know the better!”
Lando Norris on pole position!
Saturday 25 October 2025 23:02 , Kieran JacksonStunning lap from Lando to take pole - what a lap!
Norris takes pole by 0.262 secs to Charles Leclerc, with Lewis Hamilton in third!
Piastri only eighth (net seventh) and Verstappen fifth! A dream session for Norris!
4-10: Russell, Verstappen, Antonelli, Sainz (five-place grid penalty), Piastri, Hadjar, Bearman
Final runs coming up
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:56 , Kieran JacksonBig moments for the weekend here - it’s a fascinating grid right now, but how much change will we have here?!
2:00 to go in Q3...
Charles Leclerc on provisional pole
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:55 , Kieran JacksonOut of nowhere, it’s Ferrari who make the first statement!
Leclerc goes quickest by 0.179 seconds to Lando Norris, with Lewis Hamilton in third.
4-10: Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Antonelli, Sainz, Hadjar, Bearman
They’ll head back in, recharge, and go again.
Charles - where did that come from?!
Q3 underway
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:49 , Kieran JacksonHere we go then! The battle for pole position is underway.
10 drivers involved: Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell, Antonelli, Sainz, Hadjar, Bearman
Oscar Piastri saves himself
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:41 , Kieran JacksonGosh, that was tight!
Piastri was heading out but put in a good final sector to finish seventh. Yet he’s still half-a-second off Norris.
Yuki Tsunoda, however, is OUT!
Bottom-five (11-15) and out in Q2: Tsunoda, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Lawson
Top-3: Norris, Hamilton, Russell
Queue in pit lane
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:36 , Kieran JacksonA lot of waiting in the pit-lane as the 15-car pack heads out for their second and final runs.
A reminder: work to do for Piastri and Russell.
Oscar Piastri on team radio:
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:34 , Kieran Jackson“It felt like in turn 5, something happened with the PU.”
Sub-optimal.
Oscar Piastri in trouble
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:33 , Kieran JacksonPlenty of time left on the clock, but it’s not looking smooth for Piastri.
He’s currently P10 and while he was on used tyres, he’s a full second off teammate Lando Norris at the top!
Current bottom-five (11-15): Bearman, Ocon, Alonso, Antonelli, Lawson
Russell also precariously sitting in ninth. 7:00 to go in Q2...
Q2 underway
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:26 , Kieran JacksonGreen light at the end of the pit-lane - 15 minutes where again we’ll lose the slowest five drivers ahead of the top-10 shootout.
Albon on team radio:
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:23 , Kieran Jackson“The brakes aren’t working at all.”
Alex Albon out in Q1
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:21 , Kieran JacksonAntonell survives in P15! Alex Albon can’t go quicker right at the end...
Bottom-five and out in Q1 (16-20): Bortoleto, Albon, Gasly, Stroll, Colapinto.
Surprising top-3: Hadjar, Hamilton, Russell
Onto Q2!
Yuki Tsunoda in trouble
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:16 , Kieran JacksonFamiliar feeling for Tsunoda, who is in the danger-zone with four minutes to go.
Current bottom-five (16-20): Gasly, Tsunoda, Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Stroll
Antonelli only P15, but it could all change with the track ramping up ahead of the final runs.
4:00 to go in Q1.
Ollie Bearman quickest
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:11 , Kieran JacksonDon’t ask me how, don’t ask me why - but Ollie Bearman is the fastest after the first set of runs.
Norris is 0.041 secs behind in second.
More importantly, current bottom-five (16-20): Albon, Stroll, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Bortoleto
Plenty of time left though, 10 minutes.
No rush for frontrunners
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:02 , Kieran JacksonJust a handful of cars out here early on, and none of the expected table-toppers.
Should be said that the car temperatures and keeping it cool enough will be crucial here - it’s around 45C track temperature!
Q1 underway!
Saturday 25 October 2025 22:00 , Kieran JacksonHere we go then, on a sweltering hot day in Mexico City!
First session of 18 minutes, where we’ll lose the slowest five drivers from the rest of qualifying. Will we have any early shocks here?
Topping 215mph in Mexico
Saturday 25 October 2025 21:55 , Kieran JacksonExpect more speeds like this in Qualifying... up next! 🤯💨#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/9BRxwqlwZ5
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2025
Qualifying in 10 minutes
Saturday 25 October 2025 21:50 , Kieran JacksonIt’s another big moment in this F1 title race.
After a sterling lap earlier in practice, Lando Norris is perhaps the marginal favourite over Max Verstappen, with championship leader Oscar Piastri again off the pace so far this weekend.
Can he turn it all around, though? And can Mercedes and Ferrari get involved in the fight?
VIDEO: Verstappen's celebration at the last race in Austin
Saturday 25 October 2025 20:45 , Kieran JacksonTOP-10 IN FP3
Saturday 25 October 2025 19:40 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. George Russell
4. Oscar Piastri
5. Kimi Antonelli
6. Max Verstappen
7. Charles Leclerc
8. Isack Hadjar
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Gabriel Bortoleto
Lando Norris quickest in FP3
Saturday 25 October 2025 19:32 , Kieran JacksonThat stunner of a lap from Lando Norris takes top spot - and by a comfortable margin!
The McLaren driver set a 1:16:633 - 0.345 secs quicker than his nearest competitor, which is an improved showing from Lewis Hamilton.
George Russell nips in late to take third, five-tenths off, with Oscar Piastri in fourth and Kimi Antonelli fifth.
6-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Hadjar, Tsunoda, Bortoleto
Verstappen on team radio:
Saturday 25 October 2025 19:28 , Kieran Jackson“Yeah no grip, front or rear.”
The Dutchman down in P6 right now...
Isack Hadjar on team radio:
Saturday 25 October 2025 19:26 , Kieran Jackson“Pierre let me by, what is this guy doing? Idiot!”
The rookie not happy with his fellow Frenchman...
Norris goes P1
Saturday 25 October 2025 19:24 , Kieran JacksonOK - that’s a real statement from Norris.
He goes fastest by three-tenths to Lewis Hamilton with a 1:16:633 - and that’s six-tenths faster than Oscar Piastri in third.
Final laps coming in now...
Lewis Hamilton quickest
Saturday 25 October 2025 19:20 , Kieran JacksonThis is setting up for a brilliant qualifying session!
Lewis Hamilton is at the top with a 1:16:978, two-tenths ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc in third.
10 minutes to go - and the track is ramping up now at the end of this session. Expect more times to tumble...
Alex Albon with a big lock-up
Saturday 25 October 2025 19:13 , Kieran JacksonAlbon was setting personal bests before locking off and going off track four corners from the end!
Most of the cars coming back out now as they set their qualifying simulaton laps with 15 mins to go!
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
