The title of the Formula 1 World Championship may take on new contours this Sunday at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Lando Norris starts from pole position and has a concrete opportunity to take the lead in the championship, while Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen start further back and will need to react quickly. Ferrari appears strong, Carlos Sainz comes from behind, and the altitude promises to be an extra challenge for drivers and teams.
Here are five points that promise to stir up the race today.
1. Norris with a real chance of taking the championship lead
14 points behind Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris arrives at the Mexican GP on the back of two strong performances and an impeccable classification on Saturday. The pole puts the British driver in a privileged position to leave the stage at the top of the table, since Piastri starts only in seventh and Verstappen in fifth. If everyone finishes in their starting positions, Norris would leave as the championship leader with a five-point advantage over his teammate.
2. The longest straight of the season promises to stir up the start
The 830 meters between the starting position and the braking point for turn 1 are one of the major ingredients of the race. The vacuum has a strong impact on this long straight, allowing the cars in the second row to attack the top with ease. It’s common to see three-car side-by-side battles in this section. Norris will have to defend his lead, while Ferrari and Mercedes see this as their best chance to attack right from the start.
3. Ferrari in position to seek their first win of the year
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton start from second and third on the grid, on a track that favors the Ferraris and where the team won in 2024. Hamilton, in fact, has already triumphed in Mexico twice in his career. The duo showed strong pace since the first practice and is well-positioned to fight for the lead. With two cars in the top positions, Ferrari can divide strategies and pressure Norris with more tactical options.
4. Sainz comes from behind, but can be an important factor
Carlos Sainz had an excellent performance during the weekend, but will start from 12th after a penalty inherited from the US GP. The Spanish driver has a strong history in Mexico, winning last year and usually performing well in race pace. With a competitive car and extra motivation, Sainz should be one of the drivers to follow in the early laps.
5. Altitude and overheating may influence the pace
With over 2,200 meters of altitude, the Mexican GP poses unique challenges to the cars. The low air density compromises the cooling of the brakes and the power unit. Following another car closely can cause overheating, forcing drivers to open space and making overtakes more difficult after a few laps. This makes the start, pit stop strategies, and tactical decisions even more important.
With Norris seeking the championship lead, Ferrari ready to attack, Verstappen trying to react, and the altitude adding an extra layer of complexity, the 2025 Mexican GP promises to be decisive. The race starts at 5 pm (Brasília time), with live coverage on Band and real-time updates on F1MANIA.NET.
