Ferrari and Red Bull Set to Battle for Victory in Mexico City GP
Max Verstappen secured a front-row start alongside pole-sitter Carlos Sainz for the Mexico Grand Prix, edging out rival Lando Norris. With five races remaining in the championship and a 57-point gap separating him from Verstappen, Norris faces a tough path as he aims to close in on the title.
McLaren’s appeal of Norris’s penalty from the Austin race was unsuccessful, leaving him behind Verstappen in the standings and describing the outcome as a “momentum killer.” In Mexico, Norris qualified third, over three-tenths of a second off Sainz’s pole time, despite leading the first two qualifying sessions. His title hopes took a further hit, though he remained optimistic, stating, “Carlos and Max did great laps. There are question marks over race pace, especially given Ferrari’s strength lately, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Verstappen, aiming for his fourth consecutive victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, overcame engine issues and grip struggles during practice to secure second place on the grid. Reflecting on his pressured qualifying session, he remarked, “Very happy to be on the front row. I didn’t expect it after the challenges we faced.”
Mercedes duo George Russell and Lewis Hamilton qualified fifth and sixth, respectively, while Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri had a disappointing showing, being eliminated in Q1 despite topping final practice. Piastri’s 17th-place finish, alongside Sergio Perez’s 18th, further complicated McLaren’s and Red Bull’s constructors’ championship pursuits, with McLaren leading Red Bull by 40 points and Ferrari close behind.
As Verstappen and Sainz line up on the front row, the stage is set for a thrilling battle in Mexico City, with strategy, pace, and endurance likely to play pivotal roles in the outcome.
