Mexican Grand Prix: Norris claims dominant win to lead driver standings – as it happened | Formula One
Main events
Giles Richards has submitted his report In a race of momentous importance – and consequence – in the battle for the Drivers’ Championship:
Max Verstappen also speaks to TV:
“It was very hectic at the beginning of the race for me. I almost had a crash. Everyone around me was on soft tires and we were on medium tyres, so it was a bit difficult. It was about surviving the first stint. Once we got on the soft tyres, I think we became more competitive and happier.
“It was a tough weekend for us, but fighting for second place with everything that happened in the first few laps was a very strong result.”
Charles Leclerc is more popular With fans as he speaks to TV:
“I’m very happy with this weekend. Austin has been very positive but to end up on the podium again is a big surprise. Very happy to be on this great podium again.
“I was very happy with the VSC in the end! My tires were completely gone. I could see Max going back to using soft tires.
“It was difficult, but VSC saved me in the end.”
Lando Norris, who was booed By some sectors of the Mexican public for reasons no one is really sure of, speaking to television:
“I love it. What a race. I could just keep my eyes focused and forward and focus on what I was doing.
“It was a very clear race for me, exactly what I was looking for. Good start, good start, good first lap, and I can go from there.
“I had a much better start than the others. It’s my first win in Mexico and it’s nice to have it.”
Ranking of drivers next:
1- Lando Norris 357 points
2- Oscar Piastri 356
3- Max Verstappen 321
4- George Russell 258
5- Charles Leclerc 210
6- Lewis Hamilton 146
7- Kimi Antonelli 97
8- Alex Albon 73
9- Nico Hulkenberg 41
10- Ishaq Hajjar 39
11- Carlos Sainz 38
12- Fernando Alonso (37).
13 – Uli Biermann 32
14- Lance Stroll 32
15 – Liam Lawson 30
16- Esteban Ocon 30
17- Yuki Tsunoda 28
18- Pierre Gasly 20
19 – Gabriel Bortoletto 19
20- Franco Colapinto 0
Mexican Grand Prix result (top 10)
1 – Lando Norris
2- Charles Leclerc
3 – Max Verstappen
4 – Uli Berman
5- Oscar Piastri
6- Kimi Antonelli
7- George Russell
8- Lewis Hamilton
9- Esteban Ocon
10- Gabriel Bortoletto
Berman finished in a career-best fourth place After repelling Piastri’s challenge.
Leclerc maintains second place Before Verstappen! The virtual safety car ended with half a lap to go, but the Red Bull eventually went off the track.
Norris wins the Mexican Grand Prix
There’s no doubt about who won this one. Norris took an overall win in the title race – his seventh of the season. He leads the drivers’ standings for the first time since April and is just one point ahead of Piastri.
Lap 71/71: A virtual safety car can put an end to any race. Leclerc could retain second place after all. Berman stays ahead of Piastri as well.
Lap 70/71: Double yellow flag with Sainz stranded in the infield section. Verstappen approaches Leclerc… but there is a virtual safety car.
Lap 69/71: Piastri is getting ever closer to Biermann with DRS in the battle for fourth but the Haas driver continues to hold on.
Lap 68/71: Verstappen is within striking distance now. The same is the case between Piastri and Berman.
Lap 67/71: Norris leads by 29 seconds from Leclerc. Verstappen, Piastri and Russell could all take points before the race is over.
Lap 66/71: Verstappen is coming. Leclerc could be a sitting duck when the Red Bull reaches the DRS range. The Ferrari will run out of laps. 2 seconds gap.
Lap 65/71: Verstappen closed the gap to Leclerc to 2 to 3 seconds. Piastri leads Berman in fourth place.
Lap 64/71: Tsunoda runs inside Hager and sets his sights on Bortoletto and some points.
Lap 63/71: Antonelli has already regained his place from Russell and sits in sixth place. Bortoletto in points after passing the stone.
Lap 62/71: Antonelli wants his place back from Russell and makes this clear on the radio. He is 1.5 seconds behind his teammate.
Piastri moves past Russell to fifth
Lap 61/71: Piastri finally overtakes the Mercedes to pick up some valuable points in the overall standings. 10 laps to go
Lap 59/71: Verstappen will catch up with Leclerc at this pace at the end of the race. The gap is less than 6 seconds now.
Lap 58/71: Hajjar retains the last available point in tenth place, with Bortoletto close behind. Russell still holds off Piastri.
Lap 57/71: Piastri has a DRS and leads Russell by about half a second between them.
Lap 56/71: After chasing Pearman for a few laps, Russell is now looking over his shoulder as Piastri in sixth place appears in the rearview mirror.
Lap 55/71: Verstappen closes in third on Leclerc, 8.4 seconds behind there. Norris is clear by 26 seconds at the start.
Lap 54/71: No sign of a safety car. Berman widens the gap on Russell with some good driving.
Lap 53/71: Berman and Russell have a little duel. Debris on the track may require the safety car to come out.
Lap 52/71: Berman struggles to stop Russell’s pace as they battle for fourth place. Russell now holds the fastest lap.
Lap 51/71: Norris leads by 23 seconds at the front, with significant gaps between each driver in the top four.
Top 8
1 – Nawras
2- Leclerc
3- Verstappen
4 – Berman
5 – Russell
6 – Piastri
7- Antonelli
8- Hamilton
Lap 50/71: Russell comes out behind Piastri but is almost overtaken by another Haas Ocon. Then he passed both Piastri and Antonelli Ocon.