Verstappen’s Qualifying Exit Difficult to Accept as Mekies Admits Risk Went the Wrong Way

Vegas Is Set for Fireworks as Norris and Verstappen Prepare for a High-Stakes Showdown

Of course, the title fight remains on a knife’s edge. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are still looming in the mirrors — quick, calculating, and ever-dangerous. Yet there’s a feeling, not just among McLaren fans but across the paddock, that Norris’s time might finally be here. He is driving with the serenity and assurance of a man who understands the bigger picture — one who knows when to push and when to preserve. The next rounds, particularly Brazil and Las Vegas, will be crucial tests of both temperament and execution. But as things stand after Mexico, one cannot help but feel that Lando Norris has taken the first genuine step toward something truly historic — a McLaren driver leading the championship once again, evoking memories of Hamilton in 2008 and Senna before him. The torch, perhaps, has finally found its next bearer.

Lando Norris leads the F1 championship after the Mexican GP

Lando Norris now stands at the very top of the Formula 1 world — and he’s done so not through luck or circumstance, but through the kind of relentless precision and quiet authority that define true champions. After a tense and tactically rich Mexican Grand Prix, the McLaren driver leaves Mexico City leading the world championship for the first time in his career. It was not a race won through brute force, nor was it a simple lights-to-flag affair; rather, it was classic Norris — clever in traffic, decisive in strategy, and surgically smooth under pressure. From the moment the lights went out, his calm composure behind the wheel of the MCL39 suggested a driver in complete harmony with his car. Even as the race unfolded with the usual drama of tire degradation, virtual safety cars, and split-second strategic gambles, Norris remained unfazed — executing McLaren’s plan with the same level-headed precision that has become his hallmark this season.

What makes this moment so significant is not just the points lead itself, but how Norris has earned it. He has outperformed machinery, maximized opportunity, and above all, matured into a driver capable of controlling not just his own destiny but the rhythm of an entire Grand Prix weekend. The McLaren garage is alive with a quiet confidence these days — a sense that, after years of near-misses and rebuilding, they have rediscovered the art of race-winning consistency. Andrea Stella’s leadership and McLaren’s technical clarity have provided the foundation, but it is Norris who has turned potential into points, week after week.

Norris Owns the Night in Las Vegas as Hamilton Faces His Toughest Qualifying Ever

<b>A Chaotic Vegas Night That Belonged to Lando Norris</b><div><b><br></b><div bis_skin_checked="1"><p data-start="615" data-end="977">The Las Vegas qualifying session turned into a spectacle that fans will be talking about for a long time. Heavy rain transformed the Strip Circuit from a glittering showpiece into a slippery, unpredictable challenge. Out of that chaos came Lando Norris, completely composed, delivering a lap that felt almost unreal considering how difficult the conditions were.</p>
<p data-start="979" data-end="1319">His pole lap wasn’t just fast. It was the kind of lap that comes from perfect feel and confidence. While other drivers fought aquaplaning and low visibility, Norris found a rhythm that made the car dance in conditions nobody expected. The moment he crossed the line, there was a sense that the session had just produced something memorable.</p>
<p data-start="1321" data-end="1712">At the same time, Lewis Hamilton faced one of the most frustrating qualifying sessions of his career. The Ferrari simply refused to grip. Every time he pushed, the rear stepped out and the tyres cooled too quickly for him to recover. When the session ended and he saw himself last on the timing board, it didn’t feel real considering the standards he has set over two decades in Formula One.</p></div></div>

Hadjar Vows to Give It Everything from P5 in São Paulo as Racing Bulls Hunt Big Points

<h2 data-start="735" data-end="780"><strong data-start="738" data-end="780">Ready for the Fight</strong></h2>
<p data-start="782" data-end="996">The energy at Interlagos is electric, and Isack Hadjar feels it.<br data-start="846" data-end="849">
After qualifying <strong data-start="866" data-end="872">P5</strong> for the São Paulo Grand Prix, the young Racing Bulls driver says he’s ready to give it everything when the lights go out.</p>
<p data-start="998" data-end="1192">It’s been a challenging weekend, but Hadjar’s determination shines through.<br data-start="1073" data-end="1076">
“I’m giving my all  we’ve got pace, and if we stay smart, we can fight for big points,” he said after qualifying.</p>

Joining him is Valtteri Bottas, the former Mercedes race-winner and 10-time Grand Prix victor who spent 2025 on the sidelines before making his full-time return. Bottas sees Cadillac as a chance to reignite his passion and shape a legacy in an entirely new context — not chasing trophies immediately, but helping an American powerhouse find its feet in F1. His methodical approach and strong technical background make him the perfect counterpart to Pérez’s aggressive racecraft. Together, they bring nearly 30 years of combined Formula 1 experience, forming one of the most seasoned lineups ever for a debuting constructor. Cadillac’s decision to pair them underscores a clear strategy: build competitiveness through leadership and consistency rather than hype. If the team’s infrastructure and GM’s resources deliver on their promise, Pérez and Bottas could turn Cadillac from ambitious newcomer into a serious midfield contender — and perhaps, over time, an American success story in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Checo and Bottas to Cadillac in 2026: Will they hit the ground running ? 

Sergio Pérez’s move to the new Cadillac Formula 1 Team has injected both excitement and intrigue into the sport’s 2026 landscape. After an intense final stint with Red Bull Racing, where pressure often overshadowed performance, Pérez has embraced this new challenge with optimism and maturity. His signing represents more than just a career reboot — it’s the cornerstone of Cadillac’s ambitious entry into Formula 1. The Mexican veteran brings proven race-winning pedigree, extensive technical feedback skills, and the popularity to help launch the American manufacturer’s global F1 identity. Pérez has spoken candidly about wanting to “enjoy racing again” and contribute to something from the ground up, suggesting his role goes beyond driving to include mentorship, leadership, and helping define the ethos of the fledgling team. For Cadillac, his blend of experience and composure could be the stabilizing influence they need during their turbulent first seasons.

Piastri Ready to Challenge Norris as McLaren Eyes a São Paulo Statement

The Wait Is Over — Brazil Comes Alive

<p data-start="758" data-end="948"><b>The Energy of Brazil</b></p><p data-start="758" data-end="948">There’s something about Brazil that feels alive long before the race begins.<br data-start="834" data-end="837">
You can feel the heartbeat of São Paulo the flags, the drums, the endless energy echoing through the hills.</p>
<p data-start="950" data-end="1085">Today, that energy peaks. The stands are full, the air is warm, and the sound of 20 engines firing up sends chills through the crowd.</p><p data-start="950" data-end="1085"><b>When to Watch</b></p><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Location</th>
<th>Local Time</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>🇧🇷 <strong>Brazil</strong></td>
<td>2 PM (BRT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>🇬🇧 <strong>UK</strong></td>
<td>5 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>🇪🇺 <strong>Europe</strong></td>
<td>6 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>🇺🇸 <strong>New York</strong></td>
<td>12 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>🇺🇸 <strong>Los Angeles</strong></td>
<td>9 AM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>🇮🇳 <strong>India</strong></td>
<td>10 : 30 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>🇵🇰 <strong>Pakistan</strong></td>
<td><strong>10 PM Today</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>🇦🇺 <strong>Sydney</strong></td>
<td>4 AM (Mon)</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>

Behind the front-runners, Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin suffered a front-right issue that limited his running, while Alex Albon encountered power-unit problems for Williams. Promising young drivers Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto impressed by breaking into the top ten, highlighting the increasingly competitive midfield. With McLaren and Mercedes showing strong one-lap pace and Red Bull still chasing balance, qualifying looks set to be a three-way fight for pole. The session confirmed that no team has a clear edge — and with the championship entering its decisive phase, Saturday’s qualifying could play a pivotal role in shaping the race, and possibly, the 2025 title battle.

Mexican Grand Prix - FP3 highlights 

Lando Norris topped the timesheets in the final practice session (FP3) for the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix, setting a blistering 1:16.633 lap at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The McLaren driver looked confident throughout, leading a tight pack that included Lewis Hamilton in second (+0.345s) and George Russell in third. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc followed in fourth, with championship leader Oscar Piastri rounding out the top five. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, could only manage sixth after struggling with grip on both ends of his Red Bull — a surprising turn given his past dominance at high-altitude circuits. The thin air and tricky surface conditions kept engineers busy, as teams balanced setup choices between straight-line speed and cornering stability.

Norris Owns the Night in Las Vegas as Hamilton Faces His Toughest Qualifying Ever

Vegas Is Set for Fireworks as Norris and Verstappen Prepare for a High-Stakes Showdown

Verstappen’s Qualifying Exit Difficult to Accept as Mekies Admits Risk Went the Wrong Way

Hadjar Vows to Give It Everything from P5 in São Paulo as Racing Bulls Hunt Big Points

The Wait Is Over — Brazil Comes Alive

Piastri Ready to Challenge Norris as McLaren Eyes a São Paulo Statement

Lando Norris leads the F1 championship after the Mexican GP

Checo and Bottas to Cadillac in 2026: Will they hit the ground running ?

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Verstappen’s Qualifying Exit Difficult to Accept as Mekies Admits Risk Went the Wrong Way

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Lando Norris leads the F1 championship after the Mexican GP

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