Lando Norris Dominates FP3 at the Mexico City Grand Prix

In an exciting session of Formula 1 practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Lando Norris showcased his remarkable driving skills, establishing a significant lead in the third practice (FP3). While his performance shone brightly, both Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader, faced challenges in finding their pace on the circuit.

Norris Sets the Pace with Impressive Lap Time

Lando Norris required just a single run on soft tires to deliver a stunning lap, clocking in at 1 minute 16.633 seconds. This remarkable time not only put him firmly at the top of the timesheets but also demonstrated his ability to dominate the session. Norris’s performance included setting three purple sectors, which indicates he was the fastest in those segments of the track. His impressive lap time put him 0.345 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, Lewis Hamilton, who finished the session in second place.

Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, who is competing for the championship, trailed him by 0.599 seconds, while Verstappen found himself 0.609 seconds off the pace. Norris’s exceptional performance came as a surprise to many, especially considering the stiff competition from the title contenders.

Hamilton and Russell Keep the Pressure On

Following Norris’s stellar performance, Lewis Hamilton managed to secure the second position. However, a closer inspection of Hamilton’s lap revealed that he lost a significant chunk of time in the final sector, which accounted for more than half of the gap between him and the session leader. George Russell, driving for Mercedes, rounded out the top three, finishing 0.512 seconds behind Norris. Russell’s position was particularly noteworthy as it highlighted the competitiveness of the teams vying for the top spots.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari made a late push in the session, which paid off as he finished fourth, just 0.054 seconds behind Russell. Oscar Piastri, despite having two attempts to set a faster time, ended up only 0.033 seconds behind Leclerc, indicating a tight competition among the top drivers.

Verstappen Faces Challenges in FP3

Max Verstappen, who was anticipated to be a formidable contender, faced difficulties throughout the session. It took him three laps on soft tires to secure a sixth-place finish, just 0.01 seconds behind Piastri. Red Bull Racing’s strategy involved sending Verstappen out earlier than usual during FP3, as evidenced by the flow-vis paint applied to his rear wing. This move suggested that the team was attempting to validate significant changes made to the RB21 overnight in hopes of achieving better grip and improving race pace.

Despite the adjustments, Verstappen struggled with the lack of grip on both front and rear tires during his qualifying runs. His frustration was evident when he radioed his team to express his concerns about the car’s performance.

Midfield Dynamics and Driver Performances

Kimi Antonelli put in a commendable performance, finishing seventh and only 0.011 seconds behind Verstappen. Isack Hadjar emerged as the best among the midfielders, securing eighth place despite a heated encounter with Pierre Gasly, who was moving slower on the track. Yuki Tsunoda followed in ninth place, trailing the leaders but showing a respectable time that was only 0.173 seconds slower than Verstappen. Rounding out the top ten was Gabriel Bortoleto from Sauber, who finished 0.893 seconds off the pace set by Norris.

Liam Lawson had a less-than-ideal session, making a mistake during his first lap on softs, which ultimately resulted in an 11th-place finish. He was followed by Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, and Nico Hulkenberg, all of whom faced their own challenges throughout the session.

The Williams team had a tough outing, with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon finishing 1.168 seconds and 1.361 seconds off the pace, respectively. Their car struggled notably during heavy braking zones, leading to both drivers losing control and going off-track on multiple occasions. Albon’s session was further complicated by a power unit issue that curtailed his performance.

Unexpected Outcomes and Technical Issues

Oliver Bearman secured 17th place, finishing ahead of Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Colapinto, who were at the bottom of the timesheets among drivers with representative times. Fernando Alonso faced a disappointing session, as he could only complete 12 laps before technical issues with his Aston Martin ended his day prematurely without securing a notable lap time on soft tires.

Conclusion

The third practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix showcased Lando Norris’s exceptional talent as he took the lead with a commanding lap time. While title contenders Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri struggled to keep up, other drivers like Lewis Hamilton and George Russell remained competitive. As the teams prepare for qualifying and the race, the dynamics observed in FP3 set the stage for an exciting weekend of Formula 1 racing. The challenges faced by various drivers, alongside the technical issues that arose, will certainly play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the Grand Prix.