Top Contenders for the 2025 F1 Mexico City Grand Prix

All Eyes on Mexico: The Top Teams and Drivers Poised for Grand Prix Glory

As the 20th round of the 2025 Formula One World Championship rolls into the high-altitude challenge at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, three drivers stand out as the strongest hopefuls to take the chequered flag. With limited races remaining and the championship battle heating up, the stakes are high — and these three competitors bring the strongest resumes and momentum.

Oscar Piastri (McLaren F1 Team)

Leading the title fight going into Mexico, Piastri has shown remarkable consistency and speed this season. Driving the McLaren MCL39, he’s secured multiple wins and podiums — heading into the weekend with a comfortable points margin. His 2025 campaign has included dominant victories and a knack for delivering under pressure. With McLaren having already clinched the Constructors’ Championship, Piastri now carries the expectations of the driver crown. At Mexico City — a circuit where aerodynamic performance is compromised by altitude — the well-balanced MCL39 appears well suited to his smooth style and racecraft. If he can nail qualifying and manage tyre wear in the thinner air, Piastri is the front-runner.

Lando Norris (McLaren F1 Team)

Just behind his teammate in the standings, Lando Norris remains a potent contender. His speed in qualifying and strong race pace make him a constant threat, and he’s keen to close the gap to Piastri in the title race. Norris has secured several wins this year and demonstrated his ability to capitalize on McLaren’s momentum. At Mexico City, his aggressive style could pay off — especially given the importance of slipstreaming and strategy around the high-altitude conditions. If qualifying goes his way and he avoids incident, Norris could well challenge for victory and recover ground in the title chase.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

Though currently third in the standings, Verstappen is surging with momentum. Coming off recent wins and with Red Bull’s upgrades paying dividends, he has re-entered the title conversation and arrived in Mexico as a threat. Notably, Verstappen has historically excelled at the Mexico City circuit, making him a favorite among many experts. With the RB21 (or its evolved version) offering strong straight-line speed — an asset at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez — Verstappen might just pose the biggest challenger to the McLaren pair. If he nails qualifying and avoids the internal team turbulence, he could steal a win and keep his title hopes alive.

What Makes Mexico City Different

At 2,285 metres above sea level, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the highest venue on the F1 calendar. The altitude reduces aerodynamic downforce and engine performance, placing a premium on straight-line speed, cooling, and car-balance. The weekend consists of 71 laps of the 4.304 km circuit, with past winners proving that qualifying and tyre management count heavily. Teams therefore arrive armed with specific updates and strategies tailored for the thinner air and roaring crowd — a unique blend of engineering and spectacle.

Why These Three Drivers Stand Out

• Piastri: championship leader, consistent wins, team-backed car.
• Norris: within striking distance, race pace proven, motivated to challenge.
• Verstappen: multiple wins at this circuit, team back on form, rising momentum. Each brings a different path to victory: Piastri through consistency and leading the standings, Norris via raw speed and tactical opportunities, and Verstappen by leveraging past success and momentum in his favor.

The Finish Line

As the lights go out on Sunday in Mexico City, expect a fierce battle. Oscar Piastri is the man to beat, with Lando Norris breathing down his neck and Max Verstappen lurking ominously in the shadows. With the championship implications hanging in the balance and the unique challenges of the circuit, this Grand Prix could prove decisive — not just for the weekend, but for the title itself.