McLaren’s Lando Norris stormed to a commanding win at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, reclaiming the Formula 1 championship lead from teammate Oscar Piastri after a flawless drive from pole to flag.
Norris’ tenth career win and a seventh from pole have marked a defining moment in the 2025 title race, giving the Briton a slender one-point lead over Piastri. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second after fending off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in a tense closing duel that ended under a virtual safety car.
Norris dominates as Leclerc holds off Verstappen
The 25-year-old McLaren driver controlled the race from the first corner, where he went four-wide with Leclerc, Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton into Turn 1. Norris emerged unscathed and never looked back.
Leclerc’s defence against a late-charging Verstappen became one of the highlights of the race. The Dutchman, who switched to soft tyres in the final laps, was closing in rapidly before the virtual safety car neutralised proceedings, denying him a possible second place.
“It was very hectic at the beginning. I almost crashed,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1 after the race. “Once we bolted on the softs, we were a bit more competitive. You win some and lose some.”
Leclerc admitted the safety car “saved” his race, saying, “My tyres were completely gone. I could see Max coming back fast. The VSC definitely helped me at the end.”
Piastri struggles as Bearman shines for Haas
Behind the podium trio, Haas rookie Oliver Bearman delivered a career-best fourth place, equalling the team’s highest-ever finish. Piastri finished fifth after struggling to get past Bearman and Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
For Norris, it was a weekend of pure precision. “It’s one weekend at a time. I’m focused, keeping my head down. It’s working, so I’m happy,” he told F1 TV after taking the chequered flag.
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Mexico GP Podium:
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
With four rounds and one sprint race left, the championship fight between Norris and Piastri is finely poised, separated by just one point, as McLaren eyes its first driver’s title in over a decade.
