Lando Norris topped the timesheets in impressive fashion in final practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix during Saturday night’s qualifying session, while Lewis Hamilton finished second for Ferrari.
The team and driver, who had expressed concerns about McLaren’s single-lap speed around the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez at the end of Friday’s run, certainly found something special as they ran their season-ending soft tires in the final hours of the practice run.
Norris achieved a best time of 1:16.633, an astonishing 0.345 seconds faster than the second-fastest runner, Hamilton, and a half-second faster than the rest.
The distant pursuit team included Norris’ championship-leading team-mate Oscar Piatri and Red Bull’s well-informed Max Verstappen, who finished fifth and sixth respectively, more than half a second behind.
“Lando was on fire this session, as was yesterday’s race,” he said. Sky Sports F1 Karun Chandhok.
“He’s definitely in good rhythm on this track. We’re all talking about Verstappen hunting the McLarens, but Lando is also hunting Oscar since Zandvoort retired.
“We’ll wait and see if the P3 advantage is still valid and when we can qualify.”
The gap to Norris was wide, but the Mercedes took third with George Russell, while Charles Leclerc improved to fourth on his final attempt in a different Ferrari.
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Lewis Hamilton left the track three times during final practice ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Hamilton finished two-tenths of a second faster than Leclerc, recovering from a messy start to the session that saw the Briton slam on his brakes and go off the track three times.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1 Mexico City GP Schedule
Saturday, October 25th
9pm: Preparing for Mexico City GP qualifying*
10pm: Mexico City GP Qualifying*
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Take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments from the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Sunday, October 26
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP strengthened*
8 p.m.: Mexico City Grand Prix*
10pm: Checkered flag: Mexico City GP reaction
*Applies to Sky Sports main event as well
Formula 1’s thrilling title race continues at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this weekend for the Mexico City Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No Commitment, Cancel Anytime
