SF-25 back on the podium with Leclerc
It’s almost hard to believe: Ferrari has been a leading force in two consecutive Grands Prix — first in Austin and then in Mexico. These are circuits that test both drivers and cars to the limit, yet the beloved “Prancing Horse” managed to climb onto the podium with relative ease. Third place in the United States, second in Mexico, both thanks to Charles Leclerc’s strong performances.
However, something unusual happened on Sunday — something surprising. For the first time this season, it felt as if Ferrari was racing with two drivers instead of one. Leclerc delivered another excellent result, but at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, fans finally caught a glimpse of the real Lewis Hamilton — the champion who was expected to transform Ferrari’s fortunes but had so far been entangled in Maranello’s old issues.
Perhaps it’s due to the positive changes Hamilton has found in the SF-25 since the start of autumn, or perhaps Ferrari is finally learning how to make the Pirelli tyres work in the ideal performance window. Whatever the reason, Hamilton looked sharper than ever this weekend — both in qualifying and in the race. His elbows-out start was something fans hadn’t seen from him in a while, even though he later received a 10-second penalty for a minor mistake that someone of his experience could have easily avoided. Likewise, he could have done without asking Leclerc via team radio to give back a position he believed was rightfully his — though on what grounds remains unclear.
Despite finishing only eighth, Hamilton showed signs of the determination, speed, and character that defined his greatest years. The result didn’t do justice to his performance; under normal circumstances, he might have even been in contention for a podium finish. For Ferrari, that alone was a positive signal — proof that both sides are beginning to connect on track.
Leclerc remains Ferrari’s leading light
Charles Leclerc continues to be the guiding light for Ferrari, capable of attempting the impossible in qualifying and maintaining a race pace matched only by Lando Norris. In back-to-back Grands Prix, the Monegasque has shown his best form yet. With a slightly faster car, he might well have claimed victory. It’s unfortunate that, despite seven podium finishes so far, a win still eludes him. Yet, with four races remaining, there are still several promising opportunities to turn that around — and Ferrari could very well spoil someone’s title ambitions along the way.
The fight for the championship tightens
At this stage, with three drivers separated by just 36 points, the question remains: who is the favourite? The Mexican Grand Prix revealed two key things — McLaren still has the strongest car, and Lando Norris is virtually untouchable when he starts from the front. However, in close combat, Norris can be vulnerable, and from Brazil onward, in just two weeks’ time, he may face increasing pressure from his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Now that Piastri is no longer burdened by the responsibility of leading the championship, he can race with a lighter mindset — and that makes him dangerous. A confident Piastri is capable of upsetting the order and could very well reignite McLaren’s internal rivalry as the season nears its finale.
Verstappen remains the ultimate threat
The looming threat for both McLaren drivers — and for everyone else — remains Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is still the fastest and most tactically creative driver on the grid, as he proved once again in Mexico, where he managed to make the struggling Red Bull look competitive. Verstappen’s determination and race intelligence continue to set him apart, making him the driver everyone fears when the lights go out.
He has the ability to overturn any prediction and to challenge technical hierarchies, reminding everyone that the human factor still matters in Formula 1. It’s the kind of spirit that Enzo Ferrari himself would have admired — and one that undoubtedly resonates with those who now lead the Prancing Horse.
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