Lando Norris Leads Final Mexico GP Practice, Outpacing Title Rivals

Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance in the final practice session for the Mexican Grand Prix, setting a blistering lap time of 1:16.633, which put him 0.345 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton and significantly ahead of other title contenders including Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. Norris's pace sent a strong message to rivals, as Verstappen, despite recent success and being a favorite to win again in Mexico, struggled with grip and was over six-tenths slower, placing sixth. Championship leader Oscar Piastri also lagged behind, unable to match Norris's speed and showing signs of unease. Mercedes' George Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc also showed competitive form, hinting at a multi-team battle for the front grid positions. The session saw challenging conditions with high track temperatures and several drivers experiencing difficulties with braking and traffic. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso faced technical issues, preventing him from running qualifying simulations and leaving him at the back of the timesheets.