In a nail‑biting final hour of practice, Lando Norris posted a 1:17.600 lap, just 0.001 s ahead of rookie Kimi Antonelli at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Key points
- Lando Norris set the fastest FP3 time (1:17.600), edging Kimi Antonelli by just 0.001 seconds.
- Ryo Hirakawa made his Formula 1 debut for Haas after replacing Esteban Ocon.
- Gabriel Bortoleto retired early with a power‑unit issue, and Sergio Pérez missed a lap due to a precautionary component change.
- The narrow margins suggest a highly competitive qualifying session ahead.
The reigning World Champion Lando Norris topped the Free Practice 3 (FP3) session for the Mexico City Grand Prix, recording a lap of 1 minute 17.600 seconds. The margin over Italy’s Kimi Antonelli was a razor‑thin 0.001 seconds, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was a further 0.117 seconds slower, according to the official timing released by Formula 1.
Antonelli, who entered the weekend as a title contender, briefly led the session with a 1:17.601 before Norris nudged him aside in the final minutes. The session saw several drivers switch to soft tyres for a one‑lap sprint, with George Russell briefly breaking the 1:18 barrier before Norris finally dipped below it.
Norris claims top spot by a whisker
The practice also featured notable driver movements: Ryo Hirakawa, the Toyota World Endurance Championship driver, took the wheel for Haas after replacing Esteban Ocon, marking his Formula 1 debut. Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi suffered a power‑unit failure that forced him to retire without setting a time, and home favourite Sergio Pérez did not complete a lap after Cadillac opted for a precautionary power‑unit change ahead of qualifying.
Other front‑runners experienced mixed fortunes. Lewis Hamilton suffered a moment of oversteer at the final corner, while Max Verstappen ran wide at Turn 4. Oscar Piastri rounded out the top five, and the top ten featured a mix of Red Bull, Mercedes, and Racing Bulls drivers, illustrating the competitive depth of the field.
Rookie Hirakawa makes debut, other drivers face issues
With qualifying looming, the infinitesimal gap between Norris and Antonelli underscores how tightly contested the weekend could become, especially as Antonelli remains in contention for his first drivers’ title, according to the event’s coverage.
Reader questions
What is Free Practice 3 (FP3) in Formula 1?
FP3 is the final practice session before qualifying, giving teams a last chance to fine‑tune car setups and assess tyre performance on the circuit.
Why is a 0.001‑second gap significant?
In Formula 1, such a minuscule difference reflects the high level of competition and can influence grid positions once qualifying begins.
Who is Ryo Hirakawa and why is his appearance notable?
Hirakawa is a Toyota World Endurance Championship driver who stepped in for Esteban Ocon at Haas, marking his first appearance in a Formula 1 car.
Source: formula1.com