F1 Qualifying Results: Lando Norris on pole as Oscar Piastri suffers horror show at Mexican Grand Prix… Read more
Lando Norris Takes Brilliant Pole as Oscar Piastri Struggles in Mexican GP Qualifying
By Hugo Harvey | October 25, 2025 | F1 REPORT, Mexico City
McLaren experienced mixed fortunes in qualifying at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez as Lando Norris stormed to pole position for the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix, while his teammate and current championship leader Oscar Piastri endured one of his most difficult sessions of the season, finishing eighth.
It was a near-perfect performance from Norris, who produced a scintillating lap of 1:15.586 to claim McLaren’s first pole position in Mexico since 1990. The Briton’s lap was both precise and aggressive, showcasing his growing maturity as he fended off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who will start second and third respectively.
Norris’s Masterclass Delights McLaren
Norris looked in control throughout the session, confidently navigating the high-altitude challenges of Mexico City. His Q3 performance left the crowd in awe as he extracted every bit of grip from his McLaren MCL39.
“It feels amazing,” said Norris afterward. “The car was perfect today, and everything just clicked. The atmosphere here is incredible, and to take pole for McLaren in Mexico is special. Now we need to turn it into a win tomorrow.”
Norris’s result gives McLaren a much-needed boost in their Constructors’ battle, as the British team looks to close the gap on Ferrari and Mercedes with just a few rounds left in the season.
Piastri Faces Difficult Qualifying
While Norris celebrated, Oscar Piastri found himself struggling to keep the rear of his car stable through the slower corners. Despite topping Friday’s practice times, the Australian couldn’t replicate his earlier form, and a small error in Turn 6 during his final Q3 run cost him several tenths, relegating him to eighth.
Team principal Andrea Stella expressed mixed emotions:
“We’re thrilled with Lando’s performance — he was outstanding. Oscar didn’t have the balance he needed, but he’s fast and will definitely fight back on race day.”
Piastri’s eighth-place start means he will need to be strategic on Sunday to protect his championship lead from the advancing Ferrari and McLaren rivals.
Ferrari and Mercedes Show Strong Pace
Behind Norris, Charles Leclerc continued Ferrari’s resurgence by securing second with a time just 0.262s behind pole. The Monegasque driver appeared comfortable with his car throughout qualifying and praised Ferrari’s consistency.
Teammate Lewis Hamilton also impressed with a third-place finish, just 0.352s behind Norris. The seven-time world champion’s form has been steadily improving, and he enters Sunday’s race as a serious podium contender.
Mercedes enjoyed a productive session too, with George Russell in fourth and rookie Kimi Antonelli once again turning heads in sixth. Antonelli’s poise under pressure has been a standout feature of his debut campaign, and his strong qualifying form shows why Mercedes see him as their future.
Verstappen Battles Setup Woes
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen could only manage fifth after struggling to extract pace from his Red Bull. The Dutchman complained of poor rear grip and understeer through the high-speed sections, leaving him behind both Ferraris and the leading McLaren.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz delivered another consistent performance for Williams, qualifying seventh. His lap was less than a tenth slower than Antonelli’s Mercedes — another indication of Williams’ continued progress this season.
Further down the order, Isack Hadjar impressed for Racing Bulls, taking ninth, while Oliver Bearman rounded out the top ten for Haas, showing great composure in only his second Q3 appearance.
Full Qualifying Results: Mexican Grand Prix 2025
| Position | Driver | Team | Time/Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:15.586 |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.262s |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.352s |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.448s |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.484s |
| 6 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.532s |
| 7 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | +0.586s |
| 8 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.588s |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | +0.666s |
| 10 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | +0.874s |
| 11 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | OUT IN Q2 |
| 12 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | OUT IN Q2 |
| 13 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber | OUT IN Q2 |
| 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | OUT IN Q2 |
| 15 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | OUT IN Q2 |
| 16 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | OUT IN Q1 |
| 17 | Alex Albon | Williams | OUT IN Q1 |
| 18 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | OUT IN Q1 |
| 19 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | OUT IN Q1 |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | OUT IN Q1 |
How F1 Qualifying Works
The qualifying format in Formula 1 is split into three stages: Q1, Q2, and Q3.
- In Q1, all 20 drivers take part, and the five slowest are eliminated.
- The remaining 15 compete in Q2, with another five dropped.
- Finally, the top ten battle it out in Q3 for pole position.
Each segment is time-limited, with drivers needing to balance tire strategy and traffic to deliver their best possible lap.
With Norris starting from pole, Leclerc and Hamilton in pursuit, and Piastri fighting from the fourth row, Sunday’s race promises to be another thrilling chapter in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The battle for both championships remains wide open — and the Mexican Grand Prix could prove to be a decisive moment.
— Hugo Harvey, F1 REPORT
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