Norris convincingly drove to the fastest time in Mexico City, but Verstappen had to give in by almost half a second. He was a fraction slower than George Russell (Mercedes), who starts next to Lewis Hamilton on the second row. Charles Leclerc set the second fastest time behind Norris.
Isack Hadjar sets the fastest time in the initial phase
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is known as a circuit where the track improves considerably during a session. This became clear again in Q1, given the increasingly sharp lap times that were achieved.
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Verstappen drove two fast laps, on the same set of tires, but both times had a moment in turns eight and nine, where he lost time. Ultimately he rode the ninth fastest time. Surprisingly enough, the fastest man was Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), who had done that on a fresh set of rubber. Piastri (tenth) was slower than Verstappen. Gabriel Bortoleto, Alex Albon, Pierer Gasly, Lance Stroll and Franco Colapinto were eliminated.
Lando Norris takes control
In Q2, Norris held the line and took a big lead. Verstappen had the fifth fastest time when he came out for his second lap, again on new tires. However, he still remained 3.5 tenths away from Norris’s fastest time.
It turned out to be good for fourth place in Q2, behind Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. The struggling Piastri rode the seventh fastest time. The curtain fell for Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda, Esteban Ocon, Hico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso and Liam Lawson.
Battle for pole position
Verstappen was the first driver to come out for the first lap in Q3. He drove a time of 1.16.455. Three drivers ducked under it. Leclerc was more than 4.5 tenths faster than Verstappen. Norris, Hamilton and therefore Verstappen and Piastri followed.
In his very last attempt, Verstappen improved considerably: 1.16.070. It only resulted in fifth starting place. Norris convincingly took pole and was almost half a second faster than the Dutchman. Leclerc was almost three-tenths behind Norris, followed by Hamilton. Russell narrowly fell below Verstappen’s time in the final phase. He still starts far ahead of World Cup leader Piastri (eighth).