Lando Norris won the Mexico City Grand Prix on October 29, 2023, reclaiming the Formula One championship lead from his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by just one point. Norris, who started the race from pole position at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, successfully navigated early chaos to secure his sixth victory of the season.
Piastri showcased exceptional skill by moving from ninth to fifth place, delivering one of his strongest performances to date. He executed a crucial late pass on George Russell, which allowed Norris to pull ahead in the championship standings. Notably, Piastri’s finish was impacted by a late virtual safety car, which hindered his chances of advancing further.
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished second, trailing Norris by 30.3 seconds, while reigning champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull completed the podium in third, only 0.7 seconds behind Leclerc. Oliver Bearman achieved a career-best fourth place for Haas, marking a significant milestone for the British driver.
Norris’ victory marks his first time back on the top step of the podium since his win at the Hungarian Grand Prix in early August. This latest triumph tightens the championship race, as Norris capitalizes on a recent downturn in Piastri’s performance. The McLaren team has already secured its second consecutive constructors’ championship, aiming to break Verstappen’s four-year hold on the drivers’ title.
“One weekend at a time,” Norris stated amidst a chorus of boos from the sell-out crowd of 150,000 spectators. He paused his interview, laughing off the reaction before emphasizing his focus: “I keep my head down, I ignore all of it. I keep to myself and it is working.”
Verstappen, who arrived in Mexico City with three wins in his last four races, is now positioned as a formidable contender for a fifth consecutive title. Six races ago, he was 104 points behind Piastri but has since reduced the gap to 34 points.
With four races remaining in the season, the competition remains intense, particularly between Norris and Piastri. As the championship battle heats up, fans can expect thrilling races ahead as McLaren seeks to secure its place among the elite in Formula One.
