Lando Norris Tops FP3 at 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance in the final practice session (FP3) for the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix, setting the fastest time at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The McLaren F1 Team driver outpaced Lewis Hamilton of Scuderia Ferrari by 0.3 seconds, signaling strong form ahead of qualifying.

Lando Norris posted an impressive lap time of 1m16.633s, leading Hamilton, who clocked 1m16.978s, by a comfortable margin. George Russell of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team secured third with a time of 1m17.145s, followed closely by Charles Leclerc in fourth. Meanwhile, Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri struggled to match his pace, finishing fifth, nearly 0.6 seconds behind.

Elsewhere, Max Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racing reported grip issues, resulting in a sixth-place finish. Young talents like Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes and Isack Hadjar of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team impressed, securing seventh and eighth places, respectively.

The high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez posed significant challenges, affecting aerodynamics and engine performance. Verstappen’s grip complaints highlighted the difficulties some drivers faced, while Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team endured a tough session, failing to set a competitive lap and finishing last.

Emerging drivers, such as Gabriel Bortoleto of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, showed promise by securing a top-10 spot. Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson also posted competitive times, though they trailed the frontrunners.

Norris’ FP3 performance positions him as a strong contender for pole position, boosting McLaren’s prospects. With only 14 points separating him from Piastri in the championship standings, consistency will be critical. Ferrari and Mercedes, led by Hamilton and Russell, are poised to challenge, while Verstappen remains a threat despite his FP3 struggles.

In-depth analysis suggests that tire strategy and car setup adjustments will play a pivotal role in qualifying. Teams like MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and BWT Alpine F1 Team face an uphill battle after underwhelming performances from Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.

Lando Norris’ commanding FP3 performance sets the stage for an exciting qualifying session at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix. As the championship battle intensifies, all eyes will be on Norris to maintain his momentum. Follow SPORTRIK for detailed analysis and the latest Formula 1 updates.