McLaren’s Norris dominates Mexico City Grand Prix final practice, Piastri finishes fifth

Title-chasing McLaren driver Lando Norris topped the times ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton with series leader Oscar Piastri fifth and Max Verstappen sixth in Saturday’s third and final practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

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Lando Norris steers his car during the final practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix on Saturday.

(Associated Press)

In a tensely-contested session, the 25-year-old Briton, who is 4 points behind McLaren teammate Piastri in the drivers’ championship, clocked a fastest lap in one minute and 16.633 seconds to outpace seven-time champion Hamilton by 0.345.

Mercedes’ George Russell was third ahead of Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari with Piastri and Verstappen behind them, a confidence-boosting outcome for Norris as he seeks a first Mexican win to overhaul a faltering Piastri.

Kimi Antonelli was seventh in the second Mercedes ahead of Racing Bulls’ star rookie Isack Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto.

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso was unable to make a late soft tyres run due to a mechanical issue on his Aston Martin and finished 20th, but it was a competitive hour of action.