British driver Lando Norris (McLaren) won the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, the twentieth round of the Formula 1 calendar, and took the lead of the championship by a single point over his teammate, Australian Oscar Piastri, who finished fifth. The race, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, saw Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) finish second and Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) third on the podium.

With this victory, the tenth of his career and the sixth of the season, Norris took the lead in the championship with 357 points. Verstappen, champion for the last four years, remains third, 36 points behind the leader. Argentine Franco Colapinto (Alpine), meanwhile, finished in sixteenth position.

The race ended with the virtual safety car on track, activated after Carlos Sainz (Williams) retired on the penultimate lap, victim of mechanical problems that left him out when he was looking to score points. Before him, Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) had also retired on lap 36 due to brake failure.

Norris Dominates and Verstappen Puts Pressure on

Norris, who had taken pole position on Saturday, defended his position authoritatively from the start. Although Leclerc briefly overtook him at the first corner, he had to give him back the place after passing him off the track. From that moment on, the British driver maintained a constant pace that saw him lead for almost the entire race.

“What a race. I was able to look ahead and concentrate, in a very uncomplicated race,” said Norris at the finish. “My start was good, the first lap was good, and from there it all came together. It’s great to win here, thanks to all the fans,” he added.

Oliver Bearman (Haas) claimed his best ever Formula 1 result with a fourth place finish, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell finished sixth and seventh in Mercedes.

Verstappen, who had been fastest in Friday practice, was unable to replicate his usual dominance.The Dutchman was hampered by the virtual safety car in the closing laps, just as he was closing in on Leclerc for second place. “Mad Max,” as he is known, thus missed a key opportunity to make up for points and keep his title defense alive.

A closer championship than ever

The result leaves the championship in a frenzy. McLaren, which had already secured the constructors' title in Singapore, now has its two drivers separated by just one point, which bodes well for an exciting end to the season.

Norris acknowledged that, despite regaining the lead, his focus will be on staying calm. “I’m very happy; I’m just focusing on myself. Now I just have to keep my head down, keep working, and stay focused,” he commented.