The high-altitude drama of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend began in earnest on Friday, with McLaren's Lando Norris stunning the paddock by setting the pace in both practice sessions at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Norris Dominates Day One
Under the bright Mexican sun, Norris delivered an impressive performance that saw him top FP1 with a time of 1:19.267, before backing it up with an even quicker 1:18.634 in the second session. The British driver appeared perfectly at home with the challenging high-altitude conditions that test both car and driver to their limits.
Verstappen's Unexpected Struggle
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Max Verstappen faced an uncharacteristically difficult day. The Red Bull driver could only manage fourth in the opening session and slipped to seventh in FP2, leaving the Dutchman with significant work to do overnight. Team principal Christian Horner admitted the car balance wasn't where they needed it to be.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Contenders
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc showed promising pace to finish second in both sessions, while Mercedes' George Russell secured third in the afternoon running. However, it was a day to forget for Verstappen's teammate Sergio Pérez, who could only manage eleventh in front of his home crowd.
High-Altitude Challenges
The unique conditions of the Mexico City circuit, sitting at over 2,200 metres above sea level, continue to pose significant challenges for teams. The thin air affects everything from engine performance to aerodynamic efficiency, creating a levelling effect that often produces unexpected results.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying
With Saturday's qualifying session promising to be a tight affair, all eyes will be on whether Norris can maintain his advantage or if the Red Bull and Ferrari teams can close the gap. The stage is set for what could be one of the most competitive qualifying battles of the 2025 season.
