Topics:Ā Formula 1, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris has been confirmed as one of eight driver changes ahead of this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix.
With just five races remaining in the Formula 1 calendar, Norris sits just 14 points behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in the Drivers' Standings.
However, McLaren will be wary of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who has won three of the last four races - including the United States Grand Prix last weekend - to close the gap to leader Piastri to just 40 points.
As the title race heats up with three drivers still in contention, this season's championship battle is shaping up to be one of the closest in years.
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The action returns on Sunday around the Autodromo Hermanes Rodriguez in Mexico City.
Norris is one of eight drivers who will sit out the opening practice session.
Under Formula 1 regulations, each team is required to give a rookie driver at least two practice sessions during the season.
With the Autodromo Hermanes Rodriguez considered a simple circuit, and with no sprint event this weekend, several teams are also taking the opportunity to meet that requirement.
Mexican driver Pato O'Ward will get the opportunity to drive in front of a home crowd as he takes Norris' place in the McLaren.
At Ferrari, Antonio Fuoco will step in for Lewis Hamilton, while Frederik Vesti replaces George Russell at Mercedes.
The youngest race winner in F2 history, Arvid Lindblad, will drive Max Verstappen's Red Bull car, while British driver Luke Browning takes Carlos Sainz's seat at Williams.
Jak Crawford takes Lance Stroll's Aston Martin seat, Ryo Hirakawa will drive Ollie Bearman's Haas, while Paul Aron will drive Pierre Gasly's Alpine.
It means only Racing Bulls and Sauber will have their first-choice drivers during Friday's opening practice session.
Piastri will have an advantage over title rivals Norris and Verstappen by driving an additional practice session this weekend.
After a disappointing weekend in the United States, where he finished fifth, the Australian admitted he had no 'great ideas' about how to turn his form around.
Although the Mexican circuit is not among the most difficult on the calendar, the extra track time could help Piastri gain momentum for the final races.
However, Piastri has only sat out one practice session so far this season, meaning he will most likely miss the first session at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
As both Brazil and Qatar are sprint weekends, there is only one practice session.
And the other race in Las Vegas is a difficult street circuit, so the Australian will likely want all three practice sessions to get used to the difficult track.
