Oscar Piastri Under Pressure as Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton Win Big at Mexico GP Qualifying

“I mean, I’m happy to be back on pole, it has actually been quite a long time,” Norris said after stepping out of his car.

“It was one of those laps [where] you don’t know what’s happening. I knew it was decent, but when I crossed the line, I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve had some good races here in the past, so I’ll focus on what I can control,” the McLaren driver added.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton React After Mexico GP Qualifying

Leclerc, who joins Norris on the front row, praised Ferrari’s efforts on a slippery track. “This qualifying is very difficult; there is very little grip, so the car is sliding a lot. I’m happy with the job we have done, I don’t think there was a lot more in the car,” he said.

Hamilton, meanwhile, continued his impressive run of form, taking third. The seven-time world champion was all smiles after the session.

"I’m honoured to be up here with Charles and Lando; these guys have been so quick this year," Hamilton remarked. “P3 is the perfect spot at this track, so I’m hoping I can make the most of that at the start.”

What About Others?

Behind them, Max Verstappen could manage only fifth after struggling for grip and balance, while Oscar Piastri endured another challenging qualifying. The Australian, meanwhile, who starts seventh due to Carlos Sainz’s grid penalty, reported an issue over the radio late in Q3.

“It felt like in Turn 5, something weird happened with the PU,” heard on Piastri's team radio, as McLaren engineers began investigating a possible power unit concern.

Piastri had initially looked strong in the first two sectors, matching Verstappen’s pace, but a sluggish third sector cost him valuable time.

“That is P8, I’m afraid, P8,” came the message from his team radio, followed by confirmation: “But Sainz does have a penalty, that becomes P7.”

Mexico GP Qualifying: Q1 and Q2 Results

The grid behind the front-runners saw some notable exits: Bortoleto, Albon, Gasly, Stroll, and Colapinto were eliminated in Q1, while Tsunoda, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Alonso, and Lawson bowed out in Q2.

Staring Grid Positions:

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
6. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - moved up due to Carlos Sainz's penalty
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
9. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
10. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
11. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
12. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +5 grid drop
13. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber)
14. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
15. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
17. Alexander Albon (Williams)
18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

As McLaren celebrates Norris’ first pole, attention now turns to race day, with Piastri under pressure to deliver after another missed qualifying opportunity.