Formula One champion Max Verstappen showed in Brazil last year, winning from 17th on the grid, that he can never be counted out but McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri need no reminding of that in Sao Paulo this weekend.

The battle at the top between Norris and Piastri is on a knife-edge with four rounds remaining, with the Briton a point clear of the Australian.

Norris has momentum, despite insisting he does not believe in that, and has beaten his teammate in the last five races – although they collided in the most recent sprint in Austin.

But Piastri showed signs of a comeback and return to form in the Mexico race, if not qualifying, and with a Saturday sprint also in the mix in Brazil and paying extra points the gap is set to widen one way or another.

"Brazil is a great opportunity to score some big points, especially with the sprint race. There is everything still to play for, and preparation for this weekend has been very productive," said the Australian.

BUMPER 33 POINT HAUL TO BE WON

Verstappen will be looking to make inroads of his own with a bumper 33 point haul to be won from the weekend's two races.

Red Bull's four-time world champion is 36 points behind Norris, after being 104 adrift of then-leader Piastri at the end of August, and Sao Paulo's bowl-like Interlagos circuit is an old favourite.

The Dutch driver – who has family connections to Brazil through his partner Kelly Piquet, daughter of triple champion Nelson – is going for his third successive win there and fourth in all.

He is also the acknowledged king of the sprints, even though Norris won last year's in Sao Paulo, with more wins – 13 of 22 – in the short format than anyone.

"It can rain heavily there so you can have quite crazy races, especially last year's race where we won after qualifying 17th, which was an emotional win and an important moment in the championship," he said.

Current forecasts suggest it could be a wet Saturday – the kind of conditions Verstappen thrives in – but a cooler, dry Sunday.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is also a three-time winner at Interlagos and proud to be an honourary Brazilian.

The Briton has yet to stand on the podium since he joined Ferrari and where better than the circuit where he took the first of his seven titles with a last-gasp overtake in 2008 as a McLaren driver?

Ferrari have not won there since Sebastian Vettel triumphed in 2017, however.

"We come to Brazil with a positive attitude, off the back of two solid weekends in Austin and Mexico, where we maximised the potential of the car," said team boss Fred Vasseur.

"The goal now is to keep this momentum going, focus on execution, and be ready to react to whatever weather conditions we encounter in Sao Paulo."

The constructors' championship has been won already by McLaren but the battle for second is too close to call, with Ferrari only a point clear of Mercedes and Red Bull a further nine adrift.

Brazil will have a driver to cheer for the first time since 2017 with Gabriel Bortoleto making his home debut for Sauber while an influx of Argentine fans is to be expected as Franco Colapinto returns with last-placed Alpine.

The Renault-owned team had a double podium to celebrate in Brazil last year, with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly second and third, but their current form has been dire with fewer points from 20 races this year than in that one.

Formula One statistics for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Brazil's Interlagos circuit, round 21 of the 24-race championship and also the season's penultimate Saturday sprint:

Lap distance: 4.309km. Total distance: 305.879km (71 laps)

2024 pole position: Lando Norris (Britain) McLaren one minute 23.405 seconds.

2024 winner: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Red Bull

Race lap record: Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Mercedes 1:10.540 seconds (2018)

Start time: 1700GMT/1400 local

BRAZIL

Brazil first hosted a grand prix at Interlagos in 1973.

Three current drivers have won in Brazil: Lewis Hamilton (2016, 2018, 2021), Verstappen (2019, 2023, 2024), George Russell (2022).

The flowing anti-clockwise circuit is named after Brazilian driver Jose Carlos Pace, who won in 1975 and died in 1977.

Sunday will be the 42nd world championship grand prix hosted by the circuit.

Michael Schumacher won four times in Sao Paulo, a record that Hamilton and Verstappen – who is also going for three wins in a row at Interlagos – can equal.

Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto is the only Brazilian driver and the first to race at home since Felipe Massa in 2017.

There is always a high chance of a safety car.

DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP

McLaren's Lando Norris leads teammate Oscar Piastri by one point. Norris has beaten the Australian in the last five races.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen is third and 36 points off the lead, after being 104 behind at the end of August.

CONSTRUCTORS' TITLE

McLaren clinched the team's 10th constructors' championship, and second in a row, in Singapore last month.

Ferrari are second, one point ahead of Mercedes with Red Bull a further nine behind.

WINS

Piastri has won seven times this season, Norris six, Verstappen five and Mercedes' George Russell twice.

Hamilton has not won since his career 105th victory in Belgium on July 28, 2024.

Ferrari have not won since October 27 last year and are the only top four team without a win.

Verstappen has won 68 grands prix and is third on the all-time list after Michael Schumacher on 91.

McLaren have won 13 of 20 races, but only one of the last five.

POLE POSITION

Verstappen has been on pole seven times this season, Piastri and Norris five each, Russell twice and Charles Leclerc once.

The last six races have been won from pole, and 14 of 20.

SPRINT

Norris won last year's sprint in Brazil, with Piastri second. Piastri had started on pole with Norris second.

Verstappen has won two of 2025's four sprint races so far (Belgium and Austin). Hamilton (Shanghai) and Norris (Miami) won the others.

Only two of the four were won from pole.

PODIUM

Norris has been on the podium 16 times in 20 races, the most of any driver, and Piastri 14.

Piastri has now been absent from the podium in four successive races.

Leclerc has been second twice. The Monegasque has seven podiums for the season. Hamilton has yet to stand on the podium for Ferrari since he joined in January.

Nine drivers from seven teams have been on the podium in 2025.

Verstappen's third place in Mexico was his 123rd career podium, putting him one ahead of retired quadruple champion Sebastian Vettel and third on the all-time list.

POINTS

Alpine rookie Franco Colapinto is the only driver on the grid yet to score this year.

MILESTONE

Sunday marks a year since Renault-owned Alpine's last podium. They finished second and third in Brazil last year with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. Alpine scored more points in that race than they have so far in all of 2025.

Andretti Global announced a multi-year extension on Monday with NTT IndyCar Series driver Kyle Kirkwood, through "2026 and beyond."

Specific length of the contract was not revealed by Andretti Global.

Kirkwood, 27, has won five times and reached six podiums in the No 27 Honda since joining Andretti in 2023.

"Kyle represents exactly what we strive for across TWG Motorsports and Andretti Global," Andretti Global president Jill Gregory said.

"His blueprint for success has made him a key part of our INDYCAR line-up defined by talent, tenacity and a relentless drive to win. Kyle's growth and ambition reflect the strength of Andretti Global and our commitment to developing world-class competitors on and off the track."

The plan isn’t changing. Kyle Kirkwood is extended for a multi-year contract with Andretti Global🔒 pic.twitter.com/nZ69cC9bkB

— Andretti INDYCAR & INDY NXT (@AndrettiIndy) November 3, 2025

Kirkwood's breakout 2025 campaign included Grand Prix wins at Long Beach (April 13), Detroit (1 June) and Illinois (15 June). He finished fourth in the season standings.

"We've had an amazing three years together and our future together is very bright," Kirkwood said.

"We have proven to be true contenders, and most recently, Championship contenders. Our trajectory has only been up, and I am confident that we will be fighting again for championships. Between the new shop, leadership, teammates and the many evolving factors within the organisation, I believe this team is an absolute powerhouse, and we're so excited for the journey ahead."

Joining Kirkwood in Andretti's 2026 line-up are two-time IndyCar champion Will Power and 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson.

Here to stay.

Andretti Global announces Kyle Kirkwood has signed a multiyear contract extension with the team. pic.twitter.com/mdd9DPXx74

— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) November 3, 2025

 

A three-way fight for the drivers’ title is on with McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri looking to end Red Bull’s Max Verstappen reign.

With four races and two sprints left, 120 points are still available, meaning the title is wide open.

Norris has outperformed Piastri in recent rounds, and internal friction—like their wheel-banging in Singapore—could decide the title.

After an eight-race winless streak, Verstappen has stormed back with multiple victories and sprint wins.

Two remaining sprints (São Paulo and Qatar) offer extra points that could swing the championship.

These short-format races add pressure and technical challenges for all contenders.

There is only one place to watch the drama unfold - every single race is LIVE on SuperSport, your World of Champions. Click on the banner below to sign up for DStv Premium.

There has been a shake-up with the 2025 grid and only two teams, McLaren and Aston Martin, have stuck with their lineup from last year.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's switch to Ferrari is the biggest change going into the new season.

Six rookies are set to make their fulltime debut. Oliver Bearman caught the eye when he stood in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari and Kevin Magnussen at Haas last season. The 19-year-old Briton joins Haas on a multi-year contract.

Let's take a look at the full calendar ahead, with full broadcast details for the upcoming GP.

CALENDAR 2025 (all times CAT, GMT+2) 

NEXT UP:

21. Sunday, 9 November 2025
Brazil GP, Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace (Interlagos), Sao Paulo

Friday, 7 November. SS Motorsport, Maximo 1

• Practice 1: 4:25pm.
• Sprint Qualifying: 8:25pm.

Saturday, 8 November. SS Motorsport, Maximo 1

• Sprint: 3:55pm.
• Qualifying: 7:55pm.

Sunday, 9 November. SS Motorsport, Maximo

• Race: 6:55pm.

FULL SEASON

 ----- BREAK -----

22. Sunday, 23 November 2025
Las Vegas GP, Las Vegas Street Circuit

23. Sunday, 30 November 2025
Qatar GP, Losail International Circuit

24. Sunday, 7 December 2025
Abu Dhabi GP, Yas Marina Circuit

COMPLETED RACES

1. Australia (Melbourne) - 16 March

• Full race report and video highlights from Australia
  

2. China, (Shanghai) - 23 March 

• Full race report and video highlights from China
  

3. Japan (Suzuka) - 6 April

• Full race report and video highlights from Japan
  

4. Bahrain (Sakhir) - 13 April

• Full race report and video highlights from Bahrain
  

5. Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) - 20 April

• Full race report and video highlights from Saudi Arabia
  

6. Miami - 4 May

• Full race report and video highlights from Miami
  

7. Emilia-Romagna GP, Imola - 18 May

• Full race report and video highlights from Imola
  

8. Monaco - 25 May

• Full race report and video highlights from Monaco
  

9. Spainish GP, Barcelona - 1 June

• Full race report and video highlights from Spain
  

10. Canadian GP, Montreal - 15 June

• Full race report and video highlights from Canada
  

11. Austrian GP, Spielberg - 29 June

• Full race report and video highlights from Austria
  

12. British GP, Silverstone - 6 July

• Full race report and video highlights from Silverstone
  

13. Belgian GP, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 27 July

• Full race report and video highlights from Belgium
  

14. Hungary GP, Hungaroring, Budapest - 3 August

• Full race report and video highlights from Hungary
  

15. Netherlands GP, Zandvoort - 31 August

• Full race report and video highlights from Hungary
  

16. Italian GP, Monza - 7 September

• Full race report and video highlights from Monza
  

17. Azerbaijan GP, Baku City Circuit - 21 September

• Full race report and video highlights from Azerbaijan
  

18. Singapore GP, Marina Bay Street Circuit - 5 October

• Full race report and video highlights from Singapore
  

19. US GP, Circuit of the Americas - 19 October

• Full race report and video highlights from US
  

20. Mexico GP, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 26 October

• Full race report and video highlights from Mexio
  

----- TEAMS -----

Red Bull Racing    
1  Max Verstappen
30 Liam Lawson

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team    
63  George Russell
12 Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Scuderia Ferrari    
16  Charles Leclerc
44 Lewis Hamilton

McLaren F1 Team    
81 Oscar Piastri
4  Lando Norris

Alpine F1 Team    
14  Pierre Gasly
31 Jack Doohan

RB    
22  Yuki Tsunoda
6 Isack Hadjar

Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team    
14  Fernando Alonso
18  Lance Stroll

Williams Racing    
55 Carlos Sainz
23  Alexander Albon[c]

Kick Sauber    
27 Nico Hulkenberg 
5 Gabriel Bortoleto

Haas F1 Team    
87 Oliver Bearman
31 Esteban Ocon

 

Liam Lawson bears no blame for a near-miss with two marshals who crossed the track ahead of him during last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix, Formula One's governing body said on Friday.

The New Zealander, who drives for Red Bull's Racing Bulls, was shocked by the lap three incident which happened after he left the pits last Sunday.

"Are you kidding me? Did you just see that?" he asked his race engineer over the radio. "I could have ... killed them, mate."

"I could've f****** killed them" 😳

This was Liam Lawson’s POV when two F1 marshals ran across the track, narrowly avoiding being hit at the #MexicoGP ☠️pic.twitter.com/4coiZFdhZk

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) October 27, 2025

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement that while an investigation remained ongoing, Lawson was in the clear.

"Having analysed the telemetry from the incident, we can confirm that... Liam Lawson slowed appropriately and reacted correctly to the double yellow flags displayed in the area," it said.

The statement added that the rookie had braked earlier than in other laps and passed "significantly slower than racing speed into turn one.

"He is not at fault in this incident," it said.

🗣️ Lawson "slowed appropriately and reacted correctly to the double yellow flags displayed in the area."

The FIA's response after Liam Lawson was criticised by the Mexican motorsport authority for the marshal near-miss in Mexico: pic.twitter.com/dCOMORceRJ

— The Race (@wearetherace) October 31, 2025

A statement from the Mexican Automobile Club (OMDAI) earlier in the week had highlighted that Lawson did not change his line despite the marshals being visible on track and knowing he needed to take extreme precautions.

Onboard footage had suggested he saw the marshals, who were collecting debris from an earlier collision, only at the last moment after turning into the right-hander.

Media reports had interpreted the OMDAI statement as putting blame on Lawson.

The FIA said a situation with marshals on track with oncoming cars was not something anyone wanted to see and it was natural the incident would provoke concern and debate.

"It is fortunate this incident did not result in any serious consequences but we are conducting an internal investigation to understand exactly what happened and to identify any areas where procedures can be improved," it added.

"As with all serious incidents, the full analysis will take some time," it added, citing the need to collect and review evidence in multiple languages.

The governing body thanked the marshals, who are volunteers, for their professionalism and dedication.

Formula One, its ex-boss Bernie Ecclestone and the governing FIA on Wednesday sought to throw out Felipe Massa's lawsuit over the 2008 world championship, arguing the former Ferrari driver's mistakes were what cost the Brazilian the title.

Massa is suing at London's High Court for a declaration that he should have won the 2008 championship, which he lost to Lewis Hamilton by a single point, and is seeking around 64 million pounds ($85.9 million) plus interest.

His case turns on the "crashgate" scandal at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, which Massa was leading from pole position when fellow Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr crashed to try and help his Renault teammate Fernando Alonso, who won the race.

Piquet in 2009 revealed he had been ordered to crash by team bosses, who were subsequently banned. Massa's lawyers say Ecclestone already knew the crash was deliberate and Ecclestone and then-FIA president Max Mosley failed to investigate it.

Massa argues the results of the Singapore Grand Prix – which Hamilton finished third, scoring six points – should have been annulled with the result that he would have won the title.

Lawyers for F1, Ecclestone and the FIA, however, say the case was brought too late and argue Massa and Ferrari's errors in Singapore – including a disastrous pitstop in which Massa accidentally knocked down a crew member – are the reason he lost the race and ultimately the championship.

MASSA IN COURT FOR CRUCIAL HEARING

Massa sat in the public gallery for the first day of a three-day hearing and smiled as Ecclestone's lawyer David Quest told the court Massa had "performed very poorly" in Singapore, where he finished 13th and scored no points.

He filed the case last year, relying on comments made by Ecclestone in an interview with F1 Insider in 2023 when he said he and Mosley knew Piquet crashed deliberately and did nothing to "protect the sport and save it from a huge scandal".

Quest said former F1 supremo Ecclestone, who turned 95 on Tuesday, "does not remember giving this interview".

The defendants argue Massa knew enough to sue in 2008 and 2009, meaning the case should be thrown out as having been brought too late.

They also say the declaration Massa seeks is unfair to Hamilton, whose 2008 title was the first of a joint-record seven world championships and is not a party to the litigation.

Hamilton clinched the championship from Massa after overtaking Toyota's Timo Glock for fifth place on the last lap of the season's last race, won by Massa, in Brazil.

Massa did not win again after 2008, suffering a near-fatal head injury at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. He retired in 2017.

His lawyers say Massa did not know enough to bring a lawsuit until 2023, when Ecclestone's interview suggested the FIA knew Piquet crashed deliberately and decided not to investigate.

The hearing is expected to conclude on Friday with a ruling likely at a later date.

Aston Martin confirmed that American Jak Crawford will serve as the Formula 1 team's third driver for the 2026 season.

A member of the team's development program since 2024 after a stint as a Red Bull F1 junior, Crawford is currently second in a tight Formula 2 battle this season, 19 points behind Leonardo Fornaroli with two races remaining.

The 20-year-old North Carolina native also made his F1 grand prix weekend debut in an FP1 appearance in Mexico City last week.

Jak Crawford will become the team's Third Driver for the 2026 Formula One season.

The role sees Jak act as the team's reserve driver at all races next season. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/luyQ4uVeWS

— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) October 28, 2025

"I'm incredibly proud to be confirmed as the Third Driver for 2026," Crawford said. "It's a huge moment in my journey with Aston Martin and a big motivation to keep learning and contributing.

"Over the past two seasons, I've learned so much from being in the Formula 1 environment, both at the factory and trackside. I'll be doing everything I can to support the team and continue developing as a driver."

Crawford will serve as the reserve driver behind Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, replacing Felipe Drugovich in the position.

"It is great to see Jak progress to become our Third Driver for 2026," team principal Andy Cowell said. "Over the past two years, he has shown his value as a key member of our driver squad and built up a valuable bank of experience and test mileage.

"Jak has impressed in the simulator, having completed regular sessions at the AMR Technology Campus to support our race operations and car development. Jak's performances in Formula 2 have also been outstanding, and we are excited to continue supporting his growth as he takes on a bigger role."

Aston Martin committed a "very minor" procedural breach of Formula One's cost cap regulations last year due to exceptional circumstances but will face no penalties, the sport's governing body said on Tuesday.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said the other nine teams and five engine manufacturers were all in compliance, despite speculation last week that a more substantial breach might be announced.

The FIA said the breach, involving a failure to submit signed versions of its audited annual financial statements by a March deadline, was due to unpredictable circumstances outside the team's control.

Significantly, Aston Martin had not exceeded the cost cap level.

The Silverstone-based team had acted cooperatively and in good faith, added the FIA, entering an Accepted Breach Agreement last month to resolve the matter.

"The Cost Cap Administration confirm that there is no accusation or evidence that AMR has sought or obtained any undue advantage as a result of the breach," the FIA said.

Speculation about a team being in breach of the cost cap had mounted after the FIA was late publishing the accounts for the 2024 season.

Confirmation of teams' compliance had come much earlier in previous years.

A triumphant Lando Norris may have rejected the idea that he has the momentum to win this year’s drivers' world championship, but clearly after his win in Mexico City he is the McLaren driver with the confidence and form to succeed.

Norris and Oscar Piastri’s diverging fortunes since F1's summer break saw Piastri, searching for his lost consistency, scrabbling in pursuit on his way to finishing fifth in a tense, chaotic and sometimes wild Latin American race.

AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from Sunday's intense contest at a festive, sold-out Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

NORRIS SHOWS CHAMPION QUALITIES 

By taking both a dominant pole position and then a flawless victory by 30 seconds, Norris stamped his authority on this weekend and boosted his prospects of claiming the title, even if his supremacy was hailed with unexpected boos after the race.

The Briton's reaction, calm and good-humoured, added to his new gloss as a champion in waiting.

"That’s sport sometimes," he said with a half-smile and a shrug. "I don’t know why. I was kind of laughing. I think it made it more entertaining for me.

"I'd prefer it if people cheered for me, but I just concentrate on doing my own thing."

His self-effacing style, previously seen as a weakness, has become a strength as it insulates him against the pressure as he seeks to beat Piastri and the looming figure of Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen.

He leads Piastri by one point and the Dutchman by 36 points with four races remaining.

Since the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August, where he retired with an oil leak and Piastri won, Norris has finished ahead of him everywhere to claw back 35 points and the championship lead for the first time in six months.

OPENING LAPS THRILLS AND DANGERS 

While the spectacle of Sunday’s race, notably in the opening and closing laps, was dramatic and exciting, it was also dangerous and unfair.

The four-abreast charge into the opening corner at the end of an 830-metre straight produced thrills, wheel-banging and two cars leaving the track and gaining positions that they seemingly handed back.

More clashes followed, including a long and late lunge on seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari by Verstappen that, in effect, ended the Briton's podium hopes as he was given a 10-second penalty for rejoining incorrectly.

"It was pretty nuts," said Hamilton. "I was the only one given a penalty…" He did not name them, but Leclerc and Verstappen could have been penalised too.

Mercedes' George Russell also lost out in the first corner melee. "I don't understand how three drivers can cut the first corner and then re-enter where they continued… It allows you to risk everything and have a get-out-of-jail card if you get it wrong. I lost three positions, so I was pretty frustrated."

More seriously, on a day when questions were asked about the stewarding, decisions and crowd behaviour, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson revealed that he narrowly avoided a fatal accident when two marshals ran across the circuit on lap three.

VERSTAPPEN NEEDS MORE SPEED 

After a blistering run of three wins in five races, Verstappen showed tenacity and his once-familiar aggression to claim third place, but admitted he needed more speed from his car to maintain any real hopes of a fifth title.

"We struggled for pace and, in hindsight, with the tyres... But at least we had the perfect strategy… It's fine to think differently, but we need to be faster," the Dutchman said.

Max Verstappen did not expect to finish on the podium at the Mexico City Grand Prix after his struggles in qualifying so the Dutchman was not overly disappointed that a late virtual safety car denied him the chance to turn his third place into second.

McLaren's race winner Lando Norris moved one point clear of teammate Oscar Piastri at the top of the standings, with Red Bull's Verstappen closing the gap at the top to 36 points from 40 coming into Sunday's race.

The four-time world champion started fifth on the grid after complaining of a lack of grip in Saturday's qualifying but the Dutch driver finished less than a second behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who was struggling with his tyres at the end.

A virtual safety car on the penultimate lap, deployed when Carlos Sainz spun and stopped with smoke coming from his Williams, came as a godsend for Leclerc.

"Sometimes the safety car works for you, and sometimes it works against you," said Verstappen.

"Would have been fun, I think, to the end. Well, maybe a bit more fun for me than for Charles defending, but it would have been a fun ending for everyone to watch.

 

Very strong result after a difficult weekend 💪 Thanks team @redbullracing for the good strategy! pic.twitter.com/tQnRHJdCG0

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) October 26, 2025

 

Verstappen did an extended first stint on medium tyres before switching to softs while his rivals made earlier pit stops. The strategy paid dividends as he moved past Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, after an early battle, on lap 47.

He then climbed to third when several drivers, including Mercedes' George Russell, Piastri and Haas's Oliver Bearman, made second stops.

"Personally, I didn't expect to be on the podium," Verstappen told reporters. "I think even in the first stint, it was not really looking like it. At the time, I thought we were just slow and struggling on tyres.

"Once we bolted on the softs, we were a little bit more competitive, a bit happier," he added.

Rookie Oliver Bearman modestly praised his Haas team's relentless hard work on Sunday after resisting intense pressure and finishing a career-best fourth in the Mexico City Grand Prix.

It was the young Briton's third successive points-scoring finish and equalled the American team's best finish, a performance that underlined he is one of the stars of the future.

"It feels great," said Bearman, 20, in his first full season in F1 after the race in which it seemed he might secure his and Haas's maiden podium finish.

"I'm really happy that is our joint-best finish in the history of the team.

"We had a great race and, of course, I was lucky to be where I was before the first stop, but actually we had the pace to stay there.

"I held off Max (Verstappen) in the first stint. I held off the Mercedes (George Russell) in the second and then the McLaren (Oscar Piastri) in the third, so I was under a lot of pressure.

"I spent more of the time looking in my rear view mirrors than in front, but that is sometimes how it has to be.

"And I'm really proud of the team because it really validates all the hard work we've been doing for the past few races."

 

It could only be Ollie! 🤩@OllieBearman is your @salesforce Driver of the Day in Mexico 👏🇲🇽#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/yD5S0Oad9Y

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 27, 2025

 

Charles Leclerc breathed a sigh of relief after his seventh podium of the season for Ferrari and thanked a late safety car intervention for "saving" his second place in the Mexico City Grand Prix.

"I'm very happy with this weekend and happy to be on this amazing podium again, but I was very happy also to see the safety car at the end," Leclerc said.

"My tyres were completely gone and I could see Mas was coming back on the softer tyre so it was tough, but the safety car saved me.

"It was the most stressful part of the race."

He said the start was "chaos as well... There was Lewis (Hamilton) on the inside and I don't think he expected that and there was Max on the outside and a little bit of contract.

"I had to go straight, but it was stressful too. I thought the race would end there for me and Lewis... Lewis wanted to try take his shot and I would have done exactly the same if I was him. It is completely normal."

 

Notching up a half-century 👏 nicely done, @Charles_Leclerc! pic.twitter.com/1R6RRV8kAw

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) October 26, 2025

 

Seven-time champion Hamilton, who started third and finished eighth after being given a 10-second penalty for gaining an advantage by running off track, said: "It was fun at the start and then it didn't end up that way or the way I had hoped, but that's motor racing.

"At least I got some points."

Verstappen was sanguine about the late Virtual safety car thwarting his charge for second and the early bumps during the opening laps.

"It was very hectic at the beginning of the race for me," he said.

"I had to be on that kerb, kept battling out all the way so almost crashed over the grass and even after that there was a lot going on.

"Everyone around me was on soft tyres and I was on the medium and it looked like a bit of a struggle, so I was just surviving the first stint.

"But once we bolted on the softs I think we were more competitive.

"And the safety car? Well, you win some, you lose some. Sometimes it works for you and sometimes it works against you."

Lando Norris said he plans to continue his policy of being relaxed and focussed on just himself after taking a one-point lead in the Formula One drivers' world championship by winning Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix.

As McLaren teammate and chief title rival Oscar Piastri fought to finish fifth, Norris cruised to a commanding 30-second triumph ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who resisted a late charge by Red Bull's four-time champion Max Verstappen with the aid of a late Virtual Safety Car intervention.

It was Norris's first win in Mexico and the 10th of his career, lifting him to 357 points in the title race ahead of Piastri on 356 and on top for the first time in six months since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April.

With four events remaining, Norris has seized the momentum and is also 36 points ahead of in-form Verstappen, who has reeled off six consecutive podium finishes to reduce Piastri's 104-point lead at the end of August.

"It's one weekend at a time for me," said Norris, whose competitive mentality and composure has been questioned this season.

"I'm happy and I'm focused on myself. I'm just keeping my head down and I keep to myself.

"It's working for me at the minute so I'm happy... But, what a race. I could just keep my eyes forward and focus on what I was doing."

 

🚨 NEW CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER 🚨

Lando Norris moves into the lead of the Drivers' Championship after his Mexico victory! 👏#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/kMCju8qkEe

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 26, 2025

 

Staying calm amid a carnival atmosphere at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, he added: "It was pretty straight-forward, which is just what I wanted. A good start, a good launch and a good first lap... And then, I could go from there.

"I just stay relaxed and it helps. It helped me get a good start and it's the best thing.

"For me, this is awesome and I love it, my first win in Mexico and what a beautiful one to win here in this stadium."

TRYING TO LEARN

Piastri, who emerged from a mostly desultory weekend with a feisty race, admitted that he had to change his driving style to adapt to circumstances after seeing how Norris has adapted in recent races.

"Today, there was a lot of fight. The whole race I was right behind someone and struggling with dirty air, so that was pretty difficult," Piastri said.

"For me, the biggest thing is trying to learn the things I want to learn. Yesterday, it became obvious after the session that there were a few things I had to change pretty majorly in the way I was driving.

"Today was about first trying to implement that. If I've made some progress with that I will be happy, but obviously, when your teammate wins the race, finishing fifth is not that extravagant.

"I think I've had to drive very differently in the last couple of weeks. It has been a bit to get my head around. I've been driving the same all year, but the last couple of weeks the car and tyres required a different way of driving.

"I've not really gone to that. I tried a few things today. It is nothing to do with the car. Given how the pace had differentiated in the last couple of races – Lando has found it easier to dial into that and I haven't.

"It's about adding tools to the toolbox rather than reinventing myself."

 

A 10/10 performance for his 10th Grand Prix win.

A weekend to remember in Mexico City. Until next year 🇲🇽🧡#McLaren | #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/zrj1SUM6T6

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) October 27, 2025

 

Lando Norris beamed with pleasure on Saturday after turbo-charging his bid for the Formula One drivers' world championship by grabbing pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix while rivals struggled in his wake.

The 25-year-old Briton, who is 14 points behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and 26 ahead of third-placed four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, powered to a stunning fastest lap in one minute and 15.586 seconds.

It carried him 0.262 seconds clear of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who was three-tenths adrift. Mercedes' George Russell was fourth and Verstappen fifth while Piastri struggled to qualify eighth.

"I'm here to win and I am looking forward to it," said Norris, who showed a mental edge and performance to give him confidence after several weeks of pressure.

"I know I have some very quick guys behind me and it's a long run to Turn One, but I'm focused.

"I've not been sleeping well lately so that's maybe the key to everything. I've had good races here in the past, so I'm just focusing on what I can control and that's all I can do."

Norris drove with a freedom that was in contrast to the pressurised Piastri, who was unable to match his teammate’s pace at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

"I'm happy to be back on pole," said Norris. "It has actually been quite a long time, so it's a good feeling. My lap was one those laps where you don't really know what happened. It felt decent, but when I crossed the line I was very pleasantly surprised.

"I've been feeling good all weekend, especially today. I got a little bit nervous of the Ferrari at the end of Q3, but I pulled it out when it mattered and I'm happy because of that."

'EXPECTING A BATTLE'

It is his first pole in Mexico, his fifth of the season and the 14th of his career, as well as his first since the Belgian Grand Prix in July. For McLaren, it is a first Mexico pole since Gerhard Berger in 1990.

Looking ahead to the race, Norris added: "The race pace from the Ferraris is usually very strong, so I'm expecting a battle and I'm not expecting it to be easy.

"Eyes forward. And I will see how much I can win by."

His teammate Piastri, who had a 39-point lead at the end of August, was downcast.

"I will try my best," he said. "It is an opportunity to make some progress forwards.

"Everything feels OK, but there's just no pace, which is a bit of a mystery. It has been more or less the same gap all weekend.

"We'll have a look at where I was going wrong and I would say it's all a bit frustrating. This week and last weekend the car has felt like the pace hasn't come. I'm not 100 per cent sure why and we need to do some digging."

Formula One leader Oscar Piastri said his vanishing speed was "a bit of a mystery" after struggling to seventh on the grid in Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying while teammate Lando Norris took pole position.

Norris lapped the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday with a time 0.6 seconds quicker than the Australian. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were second and third.

Piastri qualified eighth but moves up a place thanks to Williams' Carlos Sainz carrying a five-place grid penalty from Austin.

"I'm a bit frustrated with how the session's gone," Piastri told reporters. "There's a lot of things I could worry about, but ultimately, being that far off when you feel like you've done a reasonable job is a difficult place to be."

The gap between the McLaren teammates has been stubbornly consistent all weekend, leaving Piastri searching for answers. "Clearly one of the cars was quick (today), so we need to try and work out why I'm not," he said.

What was particularly frustrating for the 24-year-old, who is 14 points ahead of Norris and 40 clear of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who qualified fifth, was that he felt he had not fundamentally changed his approach.

"I've not changed really how I'm driving since the start of the season, and even a few races ago when things were going really well," he said. "It's difficult to pinpoint where the lap time's been lacking this weekend."

The issues echo problems from Austin, dashing hopes those were track-specific.

"In some ways, not too dissimilar," Piastri said. "Some of the things that were difficult in Austin are also proving difficult."

Despite the frustration, he remained optimistic about Sunday's race prospects.

"I'll try my best. I think if I can unlock the pace of the car, then we can have some fun. We're just going to try and unlock it."

Lewis Hamilton said he was perfectly placed to secure a first podium with Ferrari, after qualifying third in Mexico on Saturday, and planned an aggressive start with nothing to lose.

The seven-time world champion, who joined the Italian team in January from Mercedes, enjoyed his best qualifying in 20 races this season with teammate Charles Leclerc just ahead in second place.

"This is the first time we've both been up in the top three in qualifying this year and the team truly deserves it," said Hamilton, enjoying being back in a post-qualifying press conference.

"P3 (third on the grid) is kind of the perfect spot actually, at this track, so I'm hoping I can make the most of that at the start. I think our race pace is not too bad."

Hamilton is a two-time winner in Mexico, also clinching his 2017 and 2018 world championships at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

"I'm finally figuring out how to drive this car that Charles has been fortunate to drive for the past seven years in terms of the characteristics. I'm finally feeling like I'm getting there," he said.

Hamilton said he would be "racy" at the start, with McLaren's Lando Norris on pole.

"I don’t have anything to lose, but he (Norris) does ... we’ll be quite aggressive, I’m pretty sure. Hopefully, we’ll be close enough to put up a good fight," said the Ferrari driver.

Norris could retake the championship lead from teammate Oscar Piastri if results go his way, while Ferrari have nothing to fight for other than second in the constructors' standings.

Monday will be the anniversary of Ferrari's last Formula One victory and Leclerc, who was on provisional pole until Norris put in a storming late lap, said it would mean a lot to win.

"We will do everything in order to get the first place into the first corner and then we'll see what's possible."

Leclerc doubted he would have had the pace to match Norris's time, even if he had been able to go again, but was happy with the car's performance.

"I think he (Norris) will be very strong tomorrow for sure but the start is definitely a chance for us to try and make something special, even though we're starting second on the dirty side (of the track)," said the Monegasque.

Title-chasing Lando Norris produced a stunning late lap in his McLaren to grab pole position for Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix and boost his championship challenge on Saturday ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Norris's teammate and series leader Oscar Piastri, who leads him by 14 points in the championship, qualified down in eighth after a disappointing session, three places behind four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who is 40 points behind in third.

The 25-year-old Briton clocked a best lap of one minute and 15.586 seconds to beat Leclerc by 0.262 seconds with seven-time champion Hamilton three-tenths adrift.

LANDO NORRIS IS ON POLE IN MEXICO! 👏🥇

What. A. Mighty. Lap! 🤯#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/7SgrKe9lr6

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2025

Mercedes’ George Russell was fourth ahead of Verstappen and Italian teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, Carlos Sainz of Williams and Piastri. Sainz faces a five-place grid penalty.

Racing Bulls' rookie Isack Hadjar was ninth and Oliver Bearman of Haas 10th.

It was Norris’s first pole in Mexico, his fifth this season and the 14th of his career as well as McLaren’s first Mexico pole since 1990.

"I'm happy to be back on pole, it's been a long time," said Norris whose last pole came at the Belgian Grand Prix in July.

"My lap – it was one of those laps where you don't know what happened - it felt decent, but when I saw it was a 15.5, I was surprised.

"I've had some good races here in the past and I'll just focus on what I can control.

"I'm here to win," Norris added. "I'll be looking forward, I have some quick guys behind me – I'm not expecting it to be easy."

P1️⃣ for Lando! 👏🥇#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/BhNw07EVWk

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2025

Leclerc called it a "difficult qualifying because there is so little grip.

"It's very tricky, but I am happy with the job I've done," he said.

HAMILTON BREAKTHROUGH

Hamilton, having taken his first top three qualifying spot since joining Ferrari, said: “I am so happy. I am honoured to be here with these guys who have been so quick all year – and my first top three all year!”

In hot conditions and a festive atmosphere, Aston Martin's two-time champion Fernando Alonso clocked an early opener before being overhauled by Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg and then a flying Norris in 1:17.147.

Leclerc went second, adrift by a tenth, but Piastri was seven-tenths slower in 10th.

The track was ramping up in the sunshine, enabling faster laps and the entire field were within a second of Norris before Hadjar, sporting an Alain Prost tribute helmet to mark the four-time champion’s 1990 win in Mexico, went top in 1:16.733 with a late lap ahead of Hamilton.

It was the first time this year that a Racing Bulls driver had been on top in any segment of qualifying.

What a Qualifying! 😇

Lando Norris secures pole position, with the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton behind him on the grid 👀#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/G66l8Oh614

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2025

Both Alpines, Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, Williams’ Alex Albon and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto were eliminated in a tight finish as tyres and temperatures emerged as decisive factors.

Q2 began with fast laps on new softs from Verstappen and Leclerc before Norris went top in 1:16.252, four tenths clear Leclerc. Piastri was a second down on his teammate in 10th after the first runs and complained of a powertrain issue that hampered him.

Verstappen led the way again for the second runs and with the aid of a tow from teammate Yuki Tsunoda went second, 0.353 off Norris's lap, before being beaten by Hamilton while Piastri squeezed into the top ten in seventh. Hadjar hung on in 10th.

Out this time went Tsunoda, Esteban Ocon of Haas, Hulkenberg, Alonso and Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls.

Verstappen led the way again in Q3 to clock 1:16.455 and was overhauled immediately by Norris in 1:16.170. Hamilton went second before Leclerc soared to the top in 1:15.991 – an improvement of seven-tenths to secure provisional pole.

Ferrari were clearly enjoying a surge of pace that left Piastri fifth behind both of his main title rivals and set up a thrilling finale with the second Q3 runs.

This time, the Australian was first out of the pitlane, hoping for a dramatic change of fortunes. Instead he wound up eighth as Norris charged to the top.

Title-chasing McLaren driver Lando Norris topped the times ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton with series leader Oscar Piastri fifth and Max Verstappen sixth in Saturday's third and final practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

In a tensely-contested session, the 25-year-old Briton, who is 14 points behind McLaren teammate Piastri in the drivers' championship, clocked a fastest lap in one minute and 16.633 seconds to outpace seven-time champion Hamilton by 0.345.

Mercedes' George Russell was third ahead of Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari with Piastri and Verstappen behind them, a confidence-boosting outcome for Norris as he seeks a first Mexican win to overhaul a faltering Piastri.

Lando Norris tops the timesheets in final practice! 👏💨

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell secure P2 and P3 in a closely-fought session 👀#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/WvfuvfaKJC

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2025

Kimi Antonelli was seventh in the second Mercedes ahead of Racing Bulls’ star rookie Isack Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto.

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso was unable to make a late soft tyres run due to a mechanical issue on his Aston Martin and finished 20th, but it was a competitive hour of action.

The session began with Lance Stroll leading Aston Martin teammate Alonso out in near-perfect conditions at the dusty and slippery Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Much of the overnight paddock gossip had focussed on McLaren’s race pace in second practice when, despite Verstappen’s one-lap speed, there was an air of confidence that suggested the Friday run times had disguised their potential.

It's Lando fastest in FP3 with an impressive lap on the soft tyres! 💨

Up next: Quali 😇#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/vztmxKVdgL

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2025

It had been a disappointing day for Piastri, down in 12th, which prompted 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve to suggest he had lost confidence.

"We didn’t hear a lot of confidence and his driving has been messy since Baku," he told Sky Sports F1.

"That can make a tenth or two difference… A little mistake here and there and it gets to your head.

"And seeing Max at the front, that's going to eat him all evening. If you’re running and looking backwards, things go wrong and that’s what’s happening.

"It might not be down to the car. The driver just needs to be a little bit tense behind the wheel and that's it - it’s gone. He doesn’t feel the car anymore, doesn’t drive it smoothly and starts making mistakes."

Remaining calm, and removed from the incessant speculation about the title race, Piastri waited 18 minutes to go out soon after Sainz had gone top on softs for Williams ahead of Verstappen with Norris third, the trio separated by only 0.037 seconds.

Most drivers were on mediums and working their way into the session with Piastri clearly sticking to a programme that did not require him to compete at that stage, taking a ‘big picture’ approach to the job.

Norris though emerged top with a blistering effort, Piastri responding by going third until pushed back by Russell.

At least one team looks likely to be in breach of cost caps in the yet-to-be published Formula One accounts, Sauber team boss Jonathan Wheatley said on Friday.

The sport's governing body has held off publishing the accounts for the 2024 season, triggering speculation about the reason for the delay. Confirmation of compliance in previous years has come much earlier.

"I think the delay in announcing made it very clear to all of us that there were some teams in trouble, or a team in trouble perhaps. Nobody's doing it intentionally. These things happen sometimes," Wheatley told a press conference at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur urged caution against drawing conclusions from rumours, however, saying teams must trust Formula One's governing body, the FIA, to complete its work.

"I think it’s not a big deal to have the decision in September or October at the end of the day. On this, we have to trust the FIA that they are doing their job. And I think it’s not an easy one, honestly," he said.

"We have to separate sporting advantage with a sporting penalty from a technical mistake or administrative issue," he added.

Wheatley also noted that unexpected costs can arise from incidents like car crashes as teams face the increasing challenge of managing budgets while maximizing spending under the cost cap, now in its fourth year.

Haas team principal Ayo Komatsu said that teams must adjust their processes and await the outcome.

The FIA said in a statement the Cost Cap Administration was finalising its review of 2024 financial submissions, with an announcement expected soon. The FIA would not comment on individual cases.

Max Verstappen continued his Formula One comeback charge with the fastest time in practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix on Friday while McLaren rivals struggled.

Red Bull's four-time world champion, who has roared back into contention after being 104 points adrift at the end of August, lapped the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in a best time of one minute 17.392 seconds despite complaining the medium tyre was like driving on ice.

The Dutch driver is 40 points adrift of McLaren's Oscar Piastri, and 26 behind the same team's Lando Norris, with five rounds remaining.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, fastest in a sunny first session with nine rookies or reserves replacing regular race drivers in line with regulations to give them track time, was second on the overall timesheets but 0.153 slower.

Max Verstappen tops the timesheets in FP2 👏💨

It's Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli who complete the top three 🤝#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/0oT0pLdXZv

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 24, 2025

LINDBLAD FASTEST OF THE NON-RACE DRIVERS

Verstappen had given up his car to up-and-coming F2 driver Arvid Lindblad for first practice and the Briton looked after it well while still going sixth fastest - best of the non-race drivers.

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli was second and third in the respective sessions, with Norris fourth and 0.251 off the pace after sitting out the first practice while Mexican IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward took his car.

Piastri was fourth in the first session and 12th in the later one.

"It was okay," the Australian said of his performance. "The lap on softs, on low fuel, was pretty average, so I'm not surprised with the lap time.

"It's going to be tight, like always, but I think we have a good car underneath us."

Lindblad, strongly tipped for a seat at Racing Bulls next season, caught the eye as much as anyone in the opening session

"He did a very good job. It's so difficult to jump in. The pace is there, so not much to argue against that," said Red Bull principal Laurent Mekies, whose other race driver Yuki Tsunoda was eighth in the same session.

"I was given the pep-talk beforehand," said Lindblad, of stepping into Verstappen's car. "Obviously you never want to crash but there was even more emphasis on that in the session because of the amazing job the team have done over the last few races to bring themselves into the championship."

Sauber were the only team not to run a non-race driver.

Estonian reserve Paul Aron replaced Pierre Gasly at Alpine for session one and was 15th, with Argentine Franco Colapinto ninth in the team's other car as the Renault-owned outfit assessed options for next season.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton handed his Ferrari over to endurance racer Antonio Fuoco, who was last on the timesheets. The Briton returned to set the fifth fastest time.