F1 LIVE | Norris takes the lead in the standings in Mexico

08:01, 26 Oct

Updated: 22:49, 26 Oct

byKada Sarkozi

Lando Norris is on pole position, his rivals are on the back foot in Mexico City. Follow the day with GPblog's liveblog here!

F1 LIVE | The day of the Mexico City Grand Prix

Norris to challenge Ferrari's quick straight-line speed in Mexico GP

Lando Norris secured a redemptive pole position after a recent drought at the Mexico Grand Prix, set to start ahead of the Ferrari duo and hopes to overcome the Prancing Horses' 'straight-line speed.'

Norris seems to be confident ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix, looking to overtake his teammate Oscar Piastri at the top of the Drivers' Standings.

However, the Briton shared that he is slightly concerned for the longer run at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez as Ferrari possesses a strong straight-line speed.

"Norris told the media in the post-qualifying press conference: "The car is incredibly quick, but it's not easy to drive. I think we both complained of that as drivers, but when you just get in that little bit of a rhythm, it's flying, and that’s where I was today.

"I don’t know what our straight-line speed is like compared to the Ferrari. In general, I think we’ve had a touchdown, so we’ll wait and see."

Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren during Saturday FP3 Mexico City Grand Prix : Photo - Race Pictures

Piastri says issues with 'one' McLaren is a 'mystery' after poor quali

After qualifying in eighth place, Oscar Piastri questioned why only "one McLaren is quick" as his teammate and title rival, Lando Norris, scored pole position at the Mexican Grand Prix.

The championship leader is set to start in seventh place on Sunday, having gained one position from his qualifying slot due to Carlos Sainz receiving a five-place grid penalty.

After qualifying, Piastri told the press: "I think in qualifying, I feel like I did a reasonable job, and the car felt reasonable as well. The lack of lap time is a bit of a mystery.

"Clearly, the car is working, or one of the cars is quick, so we need to try and work out why I'm not.

"I'll try my best. It's obviously the longest run of the year, so I'll try and make up some spots there, but I think if I can unlock the pace in the car, we can have some fun."

Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren. Mexican Grand Prix, Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City - Photo: Race Pictures

Hamilton warns Norris he has it 'all to lose' as Ferrari plans racy start

Lewis Hamilton says that he has 'nothing to lose' on the opening lap of the Mexican Grand Prix this evening, having qualified in third place behind teammate Charles Leclerc and title-runner Lando Norris.

Both Ferrari drivers qualified behind Norris, Oscar Piastri's main rival for the Drivers' Championship, and Hamilton suggested that Norris is the driver who has something "to lose."

Speaking to the press after qualifying, Hamilton said: "I don’t know. Definitely want to be racy tomorrow.

"I don’t have anything to lose, but he does. So I’ll be… Yeah, we’ll be quite aggressive, I’m pretty sure.

"Hopefully we’ll be close enough to put up a good fight."

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Ferrari in the post qualifying FIA Press Conference, Mexican Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris to start from pole position in Mexico

The Briton delivered a stunning lap to claim his fifth pole of the 2025 season.

Norris finished around two and a half tenths clear of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

After the session, he said: "I'm here to win. It's a long run down to Turn 1 and so forth. The race pace from the Ferraris is normally very strong.

"I'm expecting a battle, I'm not expecting it to be easy. Eyes forward and I'll see how much I can win by."

Norris at the post-qualifying press conference - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris and the two Ferrari drivers also discussed the fightback chances of Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, who will start fifth and eighth respectively on Sunday.

The Mexico City Grand Prix will begin at 8 pm BST (2 pm local time).

Verstappen shares "no pace" verdict

The Dutchman was blunt after qualifying at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. He explained: "I have no pace so it doesn’t matter what I do in Turn 1, even if I jump two cars, they will get me in the race."

Championship leader Oscar Piastri also had a difficult day. The McLaren driver said: "Being that far off when you feel like you've done a reasonable job is a difficult place to be."

The drivers' standings ahead of today's race

Position	Drivers	Points
P1	Oscar Piastri	346
P2	Lando Norris	332
P3	Max Verstappen	306

Check out the latest episode of GPblog's 'F1 Paddock Update' here!

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.