Oscar Piastri lost the lead of the world championship to Lando Norris after an impressive 189 days at the top, with just four races left in the season. In the recent Mexico City Grand Prix, Norris showcased a superb performance, winning by a substantial margin of half a minute ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who narrowly managed to fend off the challenge from Max Verstappen. Piastri, who had been a strong contender throughout the season, finished in a disappointing fifth place behind the standout driver of the day, Oliver Bearman.
Norris’s victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez not only marked a significant personal achievement but also transitioned him into the lead of the world championship for the first time since April, reclaiming his position from teammate Piastri by just a single point. This win was particularly crucial for Norris, who had faced setbacks earlier in the season, notably during the Dutch Grand Prix where mechanical failure cost him valuable points.
His commanding performance on race day effectively nulled the competition behind him. Norris managed to navigate the initial challenges of the race, especially the slipstreaming dynamics at the start, which often complicate the pole position holder’s efforts to maintain the lead. After overcoming these initial hurdles, he established an impressive lead, increasing his gap to Leclerc from two seconds on lap six to an astonishing 30 seconds by the finish.
Meanwhile, Leclerc managed to hold on to second place despite intense pressure from Verstappen, who started the race fifth but fought his way back onto the podium. The battle between Leclerc and Verstappen was particularly fierce; the two drivers engaged in some nail-biting wheel-to-wheel contests that exemplified their competitive spirit. Verstappen experienced a few moments of panic during the early laps, where he struggled with track limits and battled with Hamilton, who ultimately received a ten-second penalty for his own track infringement.
The race saw an impressive performance from rookie Oliver Bearman, who finished in fourth place after a remarkable drive from ninth on the grid. This result not only marked Bearman’s personal best in Formula 1 but also represented Haas’ best finish in their decade-long tenure in the sport. His performance perhaps highlighted the shifting dynamics within the team and the increasing competitiveness of new drivers breaking into the mix.
Piastri’s race was a tale of missed opportunities. Although he strategized effectively with a second pit stop that allowed him to make some progress in the latter stages of the race, his inability to convert this into a higher finishing position was a source of frustration. Despite finishing behind Bearman, Piastri expressed satisfaction with the pace of his car and the lessons learned throughout the challenging weekend, acknowledging the difficulties of overtaking in dirty air and the constraints of the DRS train.
The Mercedes duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell finished sixth and seventh, respectively, but not without their share of intra-team drama. Russell’s growing frustration over what he perceived as delays in being allowed to pass Antonelli showcased the competitive nature within the team, although they ultimately settled for what could be deemed a disappointing finish given the ambitions of the Mercedes camp.
As the season draws closer to its conclusion, the championship battle intensifies between Norris and Piastri, with Verstappen still lurking but needing to overcome a considerable points deficit. This dynamic ensures that the remaining races will be critical in determining the outcome of the championship, making every point increasingly valuable and every race an essential battle for all involved.
In the aftermath of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Norris was understandably jubilant, expressing his joy in capturing the win with palpable excitement, despite facing a chorus of boos from sections of the crowd during the podium celebrations. His combination of talent, strategy, and fortitude under pressure was a testament to his capability as he now leads the championship heading into the final stretch of the season, setting the stage for an electrifying finish.
Mexico City GP Result
| Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:37.58.574 |
| 2) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +30.324 |
| 3) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +31.049 |
| 4) Oliver Bearman | Haas | +40.955 |
| 5) Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +42.065 |
| 6) Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +47.837 |
| 7) George Russell | Mercedes | +50.287 |
| 8) Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +56.446 |
| 9) Esteban Ocon | Haas | +75.464 |
| 10) Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | +76.863 |
| 11) Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | +79.048 |
| 12) Alex Albon | Williams | +1 lap |
| 13) Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | +1 lap |
| 14) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1 lap |
| 15) Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1 lap |
| 16) Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +1 lap |
| 17) Carlos Sainz | Williams | DNF |
| Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | DNF |
| Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | DNF |
| Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | DNF |
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