Daijiworld Media Network - Mexico

Mexico City, Oct 26: Title-contender Lando Norris delivered a spectacular late lap to secure pole position for Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix, giving his McLaren a boost ahead of championship rivals Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Norris clocked a best lap of 1:15.586, edging out Ferrari’s Leclerc by 0.262 seconds, with Hamilton three-tenths behind in third. The session marked Norris’s first pole in Mexico, his fifth of the season, and McLaren’s first Mexico pole since 1990.

Series leader Oscar Piastri, Norris’s McLaren teammate and 14 points ahead in the championship, struggled in qualifying and will start eighth, three places behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who trails in third in the standings by 40 points. Other notable qualifiers include George Russell (4th), Kimi Antonelli (5th), Carlos Sainz (6th), and rookie Isack Hadjar (9th). Sainz faces a five-place grid penalty.

Speaking after his achievement, Norris said, “My lap – it felt decent, but when I saw it was a 15.5, I was surprised. I’m here to win and I know it won’t be easy with such quick drivers behind me.”

Leclerc described qualifying as “difficult because there is so little grip” but added that he was “happy with the job I’ve done.” Hamilton, taking his first top-three qualifying spot of the season, said, “I am so happy. I am honoured to be here with these guys who have been so quick all year.”

The qualifying session saw high temperatures and track evolution playing a decisive role, with multiple drivers posting fast laps in Q2 and Q3. Norris’s late flying lap in Q3 ultimately propelled him to the top, setting the stage for a thrilling F1 finale in Mexico.

Sunday’s race promises intense action as title contenders Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, and Verstappen line up for what could be a decisive showdown in the championship battle.