Lando Norris to Miss Mexican Grand Prix Due to Illness, Oscar Piastri to Drive in His Place

McLaren has announced that Lando Norris will miss the Mexican Grand Prix due to illness and that Oscar Piastri will drive in his place.

Piastri is a member of the McLaren Young Driver Program and has been driving for the team in Formula 2 this season. He won the Formula 3 championship in 2020 and is considered one of the most promising young drivers in the world.

This will be Piastri's first Formula 1 race weekend and he will be partnered by Daniel Ricciardo.

Norris has been suffering from food poisoning and was unable to participate in the first two practice sessions for the Mexican Grand Prix. McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl said that Norris is "not feeling well enough to drive" and that the team made the decision to replace him with Piastri "in the best interests of Lando's health and the team's performance."

Piastri will have a busy weekend ahead of him as he will need to learn the McLaren MCL36 car and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit. However, he is confident that he can do a good job for the team.

"I'm really excited to be making my Formula 1 debut with McLaren," said Piastri. "It's a great opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to the challenge. I know it's going to be a tough weekend, but I'm confident that I can do a good job for the team."