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The Drift
High-Altitude Showdown: Verstappen's Title Charge Pushes McLaren to the Brink
The 2025 Formula 1 championship arrives at the Mexico City Grand Prix for a high-altitude showdown, with the title race blown wide open. McLaren's Oscar Piastri (346 pts) sees his season-long lead threatened by both his teammate Lando Norris (332 pts) and a relentlessly resurgent Max Verstappen (306 pts). Verstappen's dominant Austin victory, contrasted with a disastrous sprint race collision between the two McLarens, has shifted momentum entirely to the reigning champion. In response, McLaren has adopted a high-stakes "clean slate" policy, permitting Piastri and Norris to race freely despite the risk. Verstappen's charge is bolstered by Red Bull's continued development, his psychological edge, and a formidable record of five wins in Mexico. The extreme altitude (2,285m) presents a unique technical challenge, creating a low-downforce, high-speed puzzle that stresses engines, cooling, and brakes, potentially favoring Red Bull's package. The article also details the internal Red Bull battle for a 2026 seat and the tight three-way fight for P2 in the Constructors' Championship.
