"I'm here to win": Norris reveals expectations of Mexico City Grand Prix

Written by Maham Mir

Lando Norris could take the championship lead after Sunday's Grand Prix | Credit: Formula One

After storming to pole position in qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix, Lando Norris stated “I’m here to win” rather than worrying too much about his championship rivals, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, who start behind him. 

Norris, who gave McLaren their first pole position in Mexico for the first time since 1990, set a pole position lap of 1:15.586s which was 0.262s faster than Charles Leclerc who starts in P2. To add to his own personal tally, this pole position is the 14th of Norris’s career. 

Starting ahead of the two Ferrari drivers, Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, Norris stated in post-qualifying interviews that he will be “expecting a battle” from the cars behind. Both Ferrari cars have been known to have strong race pace, an especially crucial characteristic on a track where overtaking can be expected.

Norris celebrates his 14th career pole position at the Mexico City Grand Prix | Credit: Formula One

Currently 14 points behind teammate and championship leader Piastri, Norris could potentially take the lead of the championship if the starting grid was to be how the race finishes on Sunday. As a reminder, Norris has not led the standings since Saudi Arabia when Piastri took the lead.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix, all of Norris’s focus can be expected to be on Leclerc and Hamilton in a bid to keep them behind and not relinquish his lead.