2025 Mexican Grand Prix witnessed a thrilling qualifying session as Ferrari enjoyed a major boost, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton securing positions in the top three, setting the stage for a competitive race.
Lando Norris clinches pole position
Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance, claiming the 14th pole position of his Formula 1 career. The McLaren driver clocked a lap nearly six-tenths faster than his teammate Oscar Piastri during the Q3 shootout, giving him a significant advantage heading into Sunday’s race.
Piastri, despite being eighth-fastest in Q3, will line up seventh due to a grid penalty for Carlos Sainz, carried over from last weekend’s United States Grand Prix. Norris’s strong qualifying underscores his championship ambitions for 2025 and puts him in an excellent position to challenge the leaders.
Ferrari celebrates top three lock
For Ferrari, qualifying was a massive positive, with Charles Leclerc securing second place and Lewis Hamilton achieving third, marking his first top-three starting spot since joining the Scuderia in 2025.
Leclerc and Hamilton’s strong performance gives Ferrari a strategic advantage in Mexico, particularly in a race where starting at the front is crucial for maintaining pace and controlling tire strategy. The duo’s consistency in qualifying signals that Ferrari is a major contender for the podium this weekend.
Key grid positions
Pole: Lando Norris (McLaren)
2nd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3rd: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
4th: George Russell (Mercedes)
5th: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
6th: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
7th: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
12th: Carlos Sainz (Williams)
Max Verstappen, a title contender, will start from fifth, sharing the third row with Kimi Antonelli, while Sainz drops to 12th after his penalty, potentially complicating Red Bull’s strategies for the race.
Implications for the Race
Ferrari’s front-row presence ensures they can dictate the early pace of the Mexican Grand Prix, with Leclerc and Hamilton poised to challenge Norris for the lead. McLaren’s Norris will aim to convert pole into a race victory, while Red Bull and Mercedes will strategize to disrupt Ferrari’s advantage.
The qualifying session also highlights McLaren’s resurgence, Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari, and the continued importance of grid penalties in shaping race dynamics.