Photo: Race Pictures

Norris jokes, Leclerc warns: The hidden fear behind the Mexico GP

14:55, 26 Oct

byNorberto Mujica

Lando Norris has quipped Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are "pros" at lifting and coasting, a technique Ferrari's understood to be relying upon to avoid excessive plank wear and potential disqualifications.

I mean, ask these guys, they’re pros at it. These guys, they do it every race.

- Lando Norris

During the post-qualifying press conference, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton were asked how concerned they were about the possibility of having to use lift and coast during the race, a technique that Ferrari are understood to have used throughout 2025 which reduces top speed and braking load to ease stress on the car’s floor.

Norris, who will start from pole, was quick to deflect the question toward the Ferrari duo. “I mean, ask these guys, they’re pros at it. These guys, they do it every race,” the McLaren driver joked. “Yeah, I think you always have to do it a little bit, but never as much as these guys.”

Photo: RacePictures.

Leclerc, starting behind him, acknowledged that managing lift and coast would be essential under Mexico’s demanding conditions.

“Let’s say I think we’re ready for this. It’s always a track where lift and coast is a big part of the race, especially for the people from second onwards,” he explained.

“That’s why I think the start is so important on a track like this, because when you have free air, everything comes a lot easier. So yeah, we’ll be quite aggressive into Turn 1 if I have the possibility and then manage from where we are. But it’s definitely going to be a big part of the race.”

Hamilton, meanwhile, kept it brief: “Not much to say. Lift and coast is pretty much what Charles said.”

Hamilton will go elbows out against Norris

When the seven-time world champion was asked about his possibilities for the race, he launched a challenge at polesitter Norris claiming the Briton had more to lose, further upping the ante stating he wanted to be 'racy' during the Mexico City Grand Prix.

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