MEXICO CITY: Lando Norris has retaken the lead in the Formula 1 drivers’ world championship after securing a commanding victory at the Mexico Grand Prix on Sunday, moving ahead of Oscar Piastri by just one point with four races remaining.
The 25-year-old Briton delivered a masterful performance from pole position at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, finishing 30.324 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with four-time champion Max Verstappen claiming the final podium spot.
Championship Lead Changes Hands
The victory marks Norris’s first win in Mexico and his sixth triumph of the season, bringing his career tally to 10 wins. More significantly, it represents his return to the championship summit for the first time since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April.
With four races left in the season, Norris now leads the standings with 357 points, just one point ahead of his McLaren teammate Piastri on 356. Verstappen sits third with 321 points, ending his impressive streak of three wins in the past four races.
“A beautiful win to celebrate here in this stadium in Mexico,” said Norris after the race. “It’s one weekend at a time for me. I am happy and I am focused on myself. I am just keeping my head down and I keep to myself. I just stay relaxed and it helps. It helped me get a good start and it’s the best thing.”
Leclerc Secures Surprise Podium
Charles Leclerc’s second-place finish delivered his seventh podium of the season, a result that exceeded Ferrari’s expectations heading into the weekend.
“I am very happy with the weekend. We didn’t know what to expect here so to get on the podium is a nice surprise,” the Monégasque driver commented.
For Verstappen, the race began with drama as he navigated a chaotic opening sequence that nearly resulted in retirement.
“It was very hectic at the start and I almost crashed out. To be fighting for P2 with all that happened – a strong race for me,” the Red Bull driver reflected.
The race showcased emerging talent, with Haas teenage rookie Oliver Bearman securing a career-best fourth place finish. He crossed the line ahead of championship contender Piastri and Mercedes’ young rookie Kimi Antonelli.
George Russell finished seventh for Mercedes, followed by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari, Esteban Ocon in the second Haas, and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto completing the points-scoring positions.
Start Line Drama and Penalties
The packed grandstands at the high-altitude circuit witnessed high-speed chaos at the race start as four cars went abreast into the first corner. Norris maintained his lead from pole position despite the intense battle alongside Leclerc, Hamilton, and Verstappen.
The aggressive opening moves resulted in several drivers running off track, with the stewards subsequently issuing Hamilton a 10-second penalty for his role in the start-line incidents.
The seven-time champion expressed his frustration at the decision, particularly as Verstappen avoided punishment for similar moves.
Dominant Display in Thin Air
Racing at 2,200 metres altitude, Norris appeared untroubled by the challenging conditions, establishing a five-second lead by lap 15. His superiority was such that even after his pit stop on lap 34, he rejoined the race maintaining an eight-second advantage.
The race concluded with late drama as a Virtual Safety Car period was deployed to clear Carlos Sainz’s parked Williams, halting the intense battle for positions until the final lap.
The championship fight now heads to the next round with the title race finely poised between the McLaren teammates, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season.
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