Lando Norris aims to challenge Max Verstappen in Mexico after a controversial penalty forced him off the podium in Austin. With only five races left, Norris must average 11.5 points more than Verstappen to secure his first F1 title. Red Bull faces pressure as Ferrari closes in on second place in the constructors’ championship. Meanwhile, Sergio Pérez seeks a podium finish at home to quell rumors about his future, amidst competition from emerging talents like Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto.
Lando Norris is set to make his mark in Mexico as he aims to reclaim his competitive edge against Formula 1 World Championship leader Max Verstappen. Norris, who narrowly missed a podium finish last weekend in the USA, is determined to deliver an outstanding performance starting Friday in Mexico City.
The atmosphere in Mexico will be electric, especially with local hero Sergio Pérez advocating for Red Bull. However, Norris is bringing a strong motivation to “give it his all” after experiencing disappointment in Austin.
During the most recent race in Austin, Norris initially finished in 3rd place but was relegated to 4th due to a controversial five-second penalty assessed for a maneuver involving Verstappen in the closing moments of the race.
As the championship standings show, Verstappen, a three-time world champion, maintains a 57-point lead over Norris before the 20th race of the 24-race season.
With 146 points available across the last five rounds, Norris must outscore Verstappen by an average of 11.5 points each weekend if he hopes to secure his first F1 title by the season’s conclusion in Abu Dhabi in early December.
Red Bull Faces Challenges
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, located more than 2,200 meters above sea level, presents unique technical challenges due to reduced oxygen levels, which can lead to overheating issues for the cars.
Frédéric Vasseur, team principal of Ferrari, emphasized the importance of finding the right balance for optimal performance. Ferrari enters Mexico with renewed confidence after achieving a one-two finish at the US GP, where Charles Leclerc claimed victory ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz.
Ferrari now trails Red Bull by just eight points in the constructors’ championship standings, vying for the second position and increasing its share of F1 revenue, which is critical for team finances.
McLaren is in a strong position, leading the points table with 540 points, with Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri consistently delivering strong performances.
Pérez Under Pressure?
To level with McLaren and fend off Ferrari, Red Bull will rely on Verstappen’s recent upgrades to his RB20, aiming for his fourth consecutive win in Mexico, which would be his first since late June.
Sergio Pérez, who currently stands 8th in the championship, is feeling the heat as he seeks to impress on home soil and quell speculation about his future with Red Bull. “My priority is to earn a podium for my fans and my country,” expressed the Mexican driver, who hasn’t finished in the top three since the Chinese GP in April.
Despite a contract with Red Bull until 2025, Pérez’s recent performances may jeopardize his position, with Liam Lawson emerging as a potential successor. Lawson finished 9th in his first GP of the season, despite starting from a lowly 19th position.
Another contender is Franco Colapinto, who achieved points in only his fourth elite GP with Williams, finishing 10th in Austin. His notable performance may secure him a spot alongside Nico Hülkenberg at Sauber next season.
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