Lando Norris showcased impressive performance during Free Practice 3 at the Mexican Grand Prix, securing the fastest lap. His speed was evident as he first utilized medium tires and later switched to softer ones, finishing 0.3 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton and 0.5 seconds faster than George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri. In contrast, Max Verstappen struggled, ending the session in seventh place and 0.6 seconds behind Norris.
Norris’s Dominance and Verstappen’s Struggles
Norris’s performance indicates a potential shift in the competitive landscape. Among the top contenders, he generated consecutive lap times of 18.0 seconds on soft tires. Meanwhile, Verstappen, worried about his hard tire pace, was among the first to hit the track. Although his rhythm seemed decent, he could not keep up with Norris’s impressive lap times.
Alonso Faces Mechanical Issues
Fernando Alonso’s session took a turn for the worse as he encountered mechanical issues. Despite starting strong with the medium compound and achieving a lap time comparable to his competitors, he was forced to retire from the session with around 20 minutes remaining. Alonso ultimately finished the session in 20th place, unable to test the soft tires before the qualifying rounds.
Other Notable Performances
Carlos Sainz finished in 15th place after initially being third in the first round. Despite using two sets of soft tires, he could not improve his time due to a dirty track surface. Alex Albon also struggled, finishing 16th, highlighting that the circuit may not favor the Williams team.
Lance Stroll managed to secure 13th place, but indications suggest that Aston Martin might face difficulties in Q3 this weekend. Overall, the team faces another challenging event, with internal criticism reportedly impacting morale.
Final Times from FP3 – Mexican Grand Prix
| Driver | Position | Lap Time | Tires Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lando Norris | 1 | 18.0 | Soft |
| Lewis Hamilton | 2 | 0.3 seconds behind | Soft |
| George Russell | 3 | 0.5 seconds behind | Soft |
| Max Verstappen | 7 | 0.6 seconds behind | Hard |
| Fernando Alonso | 20 | N/A | Medium |
As the Grand Prix approaches, the performance dynamics may shift drastically, with qualifying position being crucial for the race ahead.
