Lando Norris delivered an impressive performance in the final practice session before the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing with a noteworthy lap time of 1m 16.633s. This session took place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Norris outpaced Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who finished just over three-tenths behind.
Norris Dominates Free Practice 3
Norris set the fastest lap with less than ten minutes remaining in Free Practice 3. Mercedes’ George Russell secured the third position with a strong showing.
Key Session Highlights
- Top Performers: Lando Norris (1m 16.633s), Lewis Hamilton, George Russell.
- Title Rivals: Oscar Piastri finished fifth, while Max Verstappen was sixth.
- Circuit Length: The session took place on the 2.67-mile track.
Verstappen, who had concerns about his race pace, was the first to set a time in this hour-long session. Many drivers took longer than expected to hit the track, with Hamilton making early mistakes. He ran deep at Turn 4 during his first attempt and later went onto the grass at Turn 1.
Tire Strategy and Times
Carlos Sainz was the first to put down a competitive lap with a time of 1m 18.028s, using a set of fresh soft Pirelli tires. Norris and Verstappen followed closely, attempting to find their rhythm amidst heavy traffic on the compact circuit.
- Team Strategy: As the session progressed, teams began shifting focus to qualifying simulations.
- Significant Times: Norris later topped the timesheet with a lap on medium tires, showcasing his adaptability.
Russell was vocally frustrated with his handling, noting he was “sliding all over the place.” As more drivers improved their times, Piastri managed to post competitive laps but remained over four-tenths away from Norris.
Final Results and Standings
The intense competition continued as drivers strived to break the 1m 18s barrier. Russell finally dipped below this mark but was quickly surpassed by the likes of Hadjar and Piastri. Hamilton eventually clocked in at 1m 16.978s, a commendable lap that placed him in contention.
However, Norris reclaimed the top spot with his stellar lap just before the session concluded. Behind him, Hamilton and Russell rounded out the top three, with Leclerc and Piastri following closely.
- Top Ten Results:
- 1. Lando Norris
- 2. Lewis Hamilton
- 3. George Russell
- 4. Charles Leclerc
- 5. Oscar Piastri
- 6. Max Verstappen
- 7. Kimi Antonelli
- 8. Isack Hadjar
- 9. Yuki Tsunoda
- 10. Gabriel Bortoleto
As the session wrapped up, it’s evident that all 20 drivers will need their best strategies going into the critical qualifying session later in the day. Observations from this practice suggest a tight battle is expected for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
