Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Lando Norris showcased commanding form in the third free practice (FP3) session at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix, topping the timesheets with a lap over three-tenths quicker than his rivals. 1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has praised Norris' superior standing against the field, particularly teammate Oscar Piastri of McLaren F1 Team and Max Verstappen from Oracle Red Bull Racing. This performance bolsters Norris' efforts to narrow the championship gap to the leader in the season's final five rounds.
Towards the close of FP3 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Norris unleashed a blistering lap that secured him top spot, leading the next best by more than 0.3 seconds ahead of qualifying. Having outscored Piastri in the previous four races, the British driver is building momentum in his pursuit of the Australian in the drivers' standings.
On Sky F1, Villeneuve lauded Norris' command over both qualifying and race setups. “Do you go for the perfect quali setup to be in front?” he pondered. “Or do you want a slightly better race setup? Here, you don’t want to be on pole anyway, so you probably should go for the race setup.” He noted the complexities of yesterday's long runs but affirmed that Norris now has both aspects under control. This insight underscores Norris' tactical acumen, prioritizing race-day performance over a potentially vulnerable pole position on this circuit.
While Norris eyes closing in on Piastri, Villeneuve believes the real pressure stems from Verstappen, who has eroded McLaren's title lead in recent events. “He’s more focused on Max than his team-mate,” Villeneuve observed. “He doesn’t want Max to get closer in the championship.” The analyst added that Norris recognizes his edge over Piastri and anticipates overtaking him soon if the trend persists.
Furthermore, Villeneuve raised the prospect of team orders at McLaren as the season winds down. “Is there a point where McLaren will start having a team order?” he questioned. “At that point, they will choose whichever driver is ahead of the other. So that’s why it’s important to get ahead of his team-mate.” This dynamic highlights the internal stakes at McLaren, where intra-team rivalry could shift to collaborative efforts for maximum championship points.
Norris' FP3 advantage extends beyond raw speed, demonstrating mastery of Mexico's demanding track conditions, including altitude effects on aerodynamics. With five rounds remaining, every point counts, and Norris appears primed to capitalize on his position. Piastri's fifth-place FP3 finish and Verstappen's sixth, amid grip complaints, indicate Red Bull's lingering competitiveness despite hurdles.
Opting for a race-optimized setup, as Villeneuve recommends, could prove pivotal for McLaren to replicate successes here. Norris' growing maturity positions him strongly against pressures from his key adversaries, reflecting his evolution into a seasoned contender amid fierce battles.
Jacques Villeneuve's endorsement positions Lando Norris firmly in control of the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix showdown against Verstappen and Piastri. His FP3 dominance lays a solid foundation for qualifying and the race, potentially accelerating his championship charge. Follow comprehensive analysis and live updates on SPORTRIK throughout the season's closing rounds.
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