Verstappen Leads Mexican GP Practice Amid Rookie Replacements Impacting Title Contenders

With just five races remaining in the 2025 Formula 1 season, the championship battle is intensely close, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri leading by only 40 points over Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Verstappen, having won three of the last four races, is mounting a strong comeback and is favored to win again at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he has historically performed well. However, both Verstappen and Norris will miss the first practice session due to regulations requiring drivers to give their cars to rookies at two grand prix events, potentially giving Piastri an advantage. The rookie rule, recently doubled to four required appearances, has led to nine drivers sitting out FP1 in Mexico, a circuit favored for such substitutions late in the season due to fewer car upgrades and race format constraints. Verstappen acknowledges the need for perfection to continue his title challenge as the season reaches its decisive stages, with the Mexico City circuit presenting a mix of challenges favoring both McLaren and Red Bull cars. The tightly contested championship promises intense battles in the remaining races as Verstappen hunts down the leading McLaren duo.