F1 Mexico Grand Prix LIVE: Carlos Sainz starts on pole as Lando Norris chases Max Verstappen
F1 live updates from the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as the world title battle continues with Max Verstappen on front row and Carlos Sainz on pole
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
The F1 weekend reaches its climax in Mexico City tonight with Lando Norris set to continue his rivalry with Max Verstappen following the highly contentious battle in Austin.
Verstappen has won five of the last six races at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez and will be aiming to edge one step closer to a fourth world championship title.
Charles Leclerc produced a sensational drive to claim victory at the US Grand Prix with Ferrari impressing with a one-two thanks to Carlos Sainz. The Scuderia are contending a fierce battle with McLaren and Red Bull for the constructors’ championship, with qualifying set to be vital here. Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will bid to banish a nightmare weekend last time out in Texas.
Follow live updates from the Mexican Grand Prix with The Independent:
Perez on Red Bull issues
Sergio Perez has been having a horrible year for Red Bull but was hoping to put in a strong performance at his home race in Mexico. Following his Q1 exit, Perez opened up on the issues he’s been facing this season.
“We were just struggling too much with stopping the car,” he said. “For example into the low speed I cannot brake, I cannot stop the car, as soon as I attack the braking I start sliding, that is definitely my main issue at the moment.”
Verstappen starts on how the race will start:
“I remember quite a few of them but every start is different, so you can’t really, it gives you an idea but at the end of the day you just have to act at what is in front of you and next to you during the actual start.”
On breaking the tow behind, he added: “Anything can happen, I don’t know. What’s important is to just try and get a good start yourself.
“The last two races we have not been particularly strong in the race and we didn’t really have a Friday so it’s very unknown what’s going to happen in the race that’s why I don’t really want to say that we can win the race today.”
Sainz speaks to Sky Sports
Carlos Sainz spoke to Sky Sports on his biggest challenge to get the win today, he said: “I’ve been feeling very comfortable in the car, I feel like everything is working really well and I know how to drive it to extract maximum lap time.
“I honestly can’t wait for the race it will be an exciting one, especially on that run down to Turn One and an exciting race to do it.
“I do believe with starts there is a lot of preparation that goes into it especially for the launch and then when that happens a lot of it is down to instinct and you racing instinct that kicks in, I trust that in myself and hopefully we will make it work today.”
A milestone for Alonso
Fernando Alonso reaches another milestone at the Mexico City Grand Prix with his 400th Formula 1 appearance.
Almost time for the green light
The drivers are drinking in the atmosphere ahead of the race start. Will Max Verstappen extend his lead or can the Ferraris back up their victory from the US?
‘I’m losing all the time’ says Hamilton
“I’m losing all the time, that’s why I’ve been so bad in qualifying all year, it’s a normal thing, I’m used to it,” Lewis Hamilton told Sky Sports after qualifying on Saturday evening.
“It doesn’t feel like it [gives me potential], we’ve done everything, we’ve worked so hard in the background, like everybody does, to get the car in a nice place, it was feeling good in P3, let’s not touch anything, all we changed was just the rear wing.
“It’s a drastic difference, every time I get to qualifying the car is completely different, I can’t pinpoint why, it is what it is, I hope I can strike a balance tomorrow.
“There’s so much to play for tomorrow, I’ll try and do a good job.”
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez on the crowd at his home grand prix:
“It is an amazing feeling and makes me look back on my career and makes me feel extremely proud to have the best car in the world.
“It wasn’t an ideal place for it to happen but we will try and do everything today and hopefully we can score some points.”
F1 Driver Standings
A reminder of how the top of the driver standings looks as we approach the start of the Mexico GP.
1 - Max Verstappen - 354pts
2 - Lando Norris - 297pts
3 - Charles Leclerc - 275pts
4 - Oscar Piastri - 247pts
5 - Carlos Sainz - 215pts
McLaren lose bid to have Lando Norris penalty overturned following Max Verstappen incident
McLaren have failed in their bid to overturn Lando Norris’ penalty from the United States Grand Prix.
The team invoked a “right of review”, asking the stewards to look again at the turn 12 incident in Austin, where Norris was handed a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage while overtaking Max Verstappen in the closing stages.
That demoted the British driver below his title rival as the Dutchman extended his championship lead to 57 points.
McLaren lose bid to have Norris penalty overturned following Verstappen incident
The British driver was handed a five-second penalty in the United States Grand Prix which put him behind title rival Max Verstappen
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments