F1 Mexico City GP Qualifying: Norris on pole, Leclerc P2, Hamilton P3
- Racing Statistics
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Date: October 26, 2025
Venue: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City
Lando Norris delivered a statement lap to take pole for the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix, stopping the clocks at 1:15.586.
Ferrari locked out the rest of the top three with Charles Leclerc just 0.262s adrift in P2 and Lewis Hamilton in P3.
Max Verstappen will start from P5 after battling understeer, while Yuki Tsunoda narrowly missed Q3 and will line up P11.
How qualifying unfolded
Norris lays down a marker
Norris’s 1:15.586 in Q3 capped a calm, clinical progression through the session and puts McLaren in prime position for Sunday. The lap drew praise in TV commentary, described as a “declaration of war for the championship.”
Ferrari back at the sharp end
Leclerc’s front-row start and Hamilton’s P3 signalled renewed Ferrari pace in Mexico City’s thin air. Carlos Sainz Jr. qualified P7 but is set to serve a grid penalty, promoting Oscar Piastri from P8 to P7 on the starting grid.
Red Bull work to unlock balance
Verstappen reported front-end limitations on turn-in and finished P5 (1:16.070). Tsunoda’s Q2 was strong enough to sit inside the bubble until late improvements nudged him to P11 by just a whisker.
Mercedes consistent
George Russell (P4) and rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli (P6) both delivered tidy Q3 laps. Russell improved late but couldn’t match Norris’s ultimate pace; Antonelli banked a personal best.
Rookie watch: Hadjar & Bearman shine
Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) advanced to Q3 and qualified P9, having lit up Q1 with the session’s fastest time. Oliver Bearman (Haas) joined him in the top-ten with P10, continuing a confident run of Saturdays.
Full Qualifying Classification (Q1 / Q2 / Q3)
Pos | No. | Driver | Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 |
1 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:16.899 | 1:16.252 | 1:15.586 |
2 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:17.024 | 1:16.658 | 1:15.848 |
3 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:16.736 | 1:16.458 | 1:15.938 |
4 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:16.895 | 1:16.537 | 1:16.034 |
5 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:17.076 | 1:16.605 | 1:16.070 |
6 | 12 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:17.291 | 1:16.773 | 1:16.118 |
7 | 30 | Carlos Sainz Jr. | Williams | 1:17.171 | 1:16.607 | 1:16.172* |
8 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:17.158 | 1:16.737 | 1:16.174 |
9 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 1:16.733 | 1:16.804 | 1:16.252 |
10 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:17.040 | 1:16.787 | 1:16.460 |
11 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | 1:17.234 | 1:16.816 | — |
12 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:16.948 | 1:16.837 | — |
13 | 27 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber | 1:17.251 | 1:17.016 | — |
14 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:17.232 | 1:17.013 | — |
15 | 55 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:16.961 | 1:18.072 | — |
16 | 98 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | 1:17.412 | — | — |
17 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1:17.490 | — | — |
18 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:17.546 | — | — |
19 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:17.606 | — | — |
20 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:17.670 | — | — |
Notes: Sainz carries a grid penalty that will reshuffle the starting order behind him. Times shown in m:ss.mmm format.
Storylines to watch for Sunday
Norris vs. Ferraris: Can Lando convert pole with two scarlet cars breathing down his neck into Turn 1?
Verstappen’s recovery tools: Red Bull’s overnight changes to tame understeer could be pivotal over a long stint.
Points from P11: Tsunoda has clear path to the top ten if he nails the launch and undercut windows.
Rookies on merit: Hadjar and Bearman starting inside the top ten adds strategic wildcards around pit phases.
How to watch the Mexico GP Race: