Overview
- Lando Norris delivered an authoritative qualifying lap for his 14th career pole and fifth of the season, edging Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton by roughly three tenths in Mexico City.
- Max Verstappen qualified fifth and voiced concern over Red Bull’s race pace, saying he lacked rhythm despite his strong record at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
- Oscar Piastri struggled for speed, setting only the eighth-best time before moving up to seventh on the grid due to a five-place penalty for Carlos Sainz.
- McLaren continues to avoid naming a number-one driver, with Zak Brown acknowledging the risks and Andrea Stella saying they will only impose clear team orders when the championship math demands it.
- Verstappen has trimmed the deficit to about 40 points after several recent wins, as Norris and Piastri’s rivalry has included costly clashes such as the United States sprint collision that eliminated both McLarens.