The Mexican GP Shakes Up the 2025 Title Fight » Kōkako
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Olivia Woods
Anything Could Happen (2)
The three drivers who are in contention for the championship.  Olivia Woods

The 2025 Mexican Grand Prix has completely shaken up the World Drivers’ Championship. The race was not just about who crossed the finish line first. There were mini battles taking place throughout the field, making it one of the most thrilling races of the season. The championship fight is now incredibly close, with the two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, separated by just one point. There are only four races and two sprint races remaining to determine who will be crowned the 2025 champion.

Oscar Piastri was dominant in the first half of the season, consistently finishing around second place. However, in the second half of 2025, his form dipped slightly, with an average finish of around third place. This mirrors last season, when he also struggled on certain tracks during the later part of the year, while Lando began to take control and dominate the second half of the season.

In Mexico, Lando was untouchable. He led every lap from pole position, controlling the pace and showing remarkable consistency. The real drama, however, unfolded behind him. Charles Leclerc put on a spectacular defensive drive, fending off four-time world champion Max Verstappen in an intense battle for second place. Verstappen was not just fighting for the podium. He is aiming to steal his fifth championship win right under the McLaren boys, as he is only 35–36 points behind Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. 

To keep his title hopes alive, Max needs to win at least three of the remaining races, score highly in the sprint races, and rely on clean pitstops to avoid losing crucial time. He also must score points in the fourth race, with even a 5th–6th place finish keeping him in contention, assuming he earns points in the sprints and fastest laps. At the same time, Verstappen will rely on the McLaren drivers having one or two slip-ups, finishing outside the podium. By combining consistency, smart strategy, clean pitstops, and taking advantage of any McLaren mistakes, Max still has a real chance to overtake the McLaren drivers and claim the 2025 championship.

Further back, rookie Oliver Bearman produced an exceptional performance, finishing an impressive P4 in his first full season of Formula 1 and earning Driver of the Day honours. Oscar Piastri, despite fighting hard, ended up P5, unable to pass Bearman due to traffic and strategic challenges. The race featured several exciting mid-field battles, including a fierce A Virtual Safety Car in the final laps added even more tension. It prevented Verstappen from making a late attack on Leclerc and stopped Oscar from challenging Bearman for fourth place. The combination of strategic calls, wheel-to-wheel battles, and split-second overtakes made the Mexican GP a memorable spectacle.

With the championship so close, every point matters. The next four races and two sprint races promise to be some of the most exciting in recent F1 history. The battle between the McLaren teammates is now tighter than ever, with both drivers hungry to claim the 2025 title.

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