Norris tops FP3 in Mexico City, edging out Antonelli and Leclerc

Lando Norris secured the quickest lap in Free Practice 3 (FP3) at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Saturday, posting a time that placed him ahead of his McLaren teammate Oscar Antonelli and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The result, reported by Formula1.com, underscores Norris’s strong pace heading into the qualifying session for the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Session overview

FP3, the final practice session before qualifying, ran for 60 minutes under clear skies. Norris set a blistering lap of 1:16.874, shaving a few tenths off Antonelli’s best time of 1:17.032. Leclerc, who had been the fastest in the earlier sessions, could only manage a best of 1:17.210, leaving the Ferrari driver in third place for the day.

The McLaren pair appeared to have found a sweet spot in tyre temperature and aerodynamic balance, allowing them to extract maximum performance from the medium compound tyres. Their strong showing contrasts with a relatively muted Ferrari performance, which has struggled to match the pace of the Red Bull and Mercedes camps at this high‑altitude circuit.

Implications for qualifying and the race

While practice times do not directly translate to qualifying positions, Norris’s speed sends a clear message to rivals that McLaren is a serious contender for a strong grid slot. Oscar Antonelli’s second‑place finish also suggests that the team’s overall package is improving, potentially setting up a front‑row showdown with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell.

Ferrari will be keen to regroup ahead of the qualifying session, as their pace in Mexico has historically been hampered by the thin air and the circuit’s demanding braking zones. Leclerc’s third‑place effort indicates that the team still has the speed, but they will need to fine‑tune their setup to compete with the front‑runners.

For India

Indian fans can catch the qualifying session live on FanCode at 12:00 IST, followed by the race start at 15:00 IST. Norris’s strong practice performance adds another storyline for the Indian audience, especially as McLaren’s recent form has generated considerable interest among local followers. Keep an eye on the pit lane for any strategic updates, as the high‑altitude conditions often lead to unexpected tyre wear patterns.

Source: Formula1.com