F1 Mexico Grand Prix LIVE: Sainz retakes lead from Verstappen after Tsunoda and Albon crash on first lap
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
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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:
Norris ‘not at’ Verstappen’s level
Lando Norris has admitted he is not at the same level of Max Verstappen as the two men attempt to win the Forumla 1 world title.
Norris said: “Max is the best in the world in this style of defence and attacking. So I have to be at his level and at the moment I am not quite at the level I need to be at.
“It’s a shame to say, but it’s probably the truth. At the same time, it’s a chance for me to learn and progress.”
Sergio Perez’s F1 clock is ticking – and impact on Mexico Grand Prix future could be huge
It is difficult to remember the last time Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull was not under intense scrutiny and pressure. Perhaps at the start of this season, after four podiums in the first five races, and with the stance of Christian Horner’s juggernaut as the sport’s No 1 outfit on track in no doubt at all. Now though, the sands have shifted.
With five races left in 2024, Red Bull are second in the constructors’ championship: 40 points off McLaren in first but just eight points ahead of Ferrari in third. Max Verstappen, chasing a fourth-straight drivers’ title, has accrued over 70% of Red Bull’s points himself. Perez, however, is a mammoth 204 points behind his teammate, languishing eighth in the individual table.
It is, by far, the biggest margin between teammates in the sport. Yet still, the 34-year-old remains in his post ahead of his home race in Mexico City this weekend. His 2021 podium at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with his adoring father watching on, is undoubtedly a career highlight.
Perez’s F1 clock is ticking – and impact on Mexico Grand Prix future could be huge
Mexican hero Perez’s spot at Red Bull is under intense scrutiny – again – and his future may have an impact on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as a grand prix venue in the future
Max Verstappen qualifies ahead of Lando Norris but ‘question marks’ set up Mexico City thriller
Max Verstappen edged out title rival Lando Norris as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz claimed pole position at the Mexico Grand Prix.
Norris trails Verstappen by 57 points in the drivers’ championship with five races remaining and 146 points up for grabs and needs to start making major inroads into the Dutchman’s advantage.
McLaren failed in their bid to overturn Norris’s controversial penalty which demoted him behind Verstappen in Austin, Texas, last weekend – a result the British driver labelled a “momentum killer” in his pursuit of a maiden title.
Verstappen edges out Norris but ‘question marks’ set up Mexico City thriller
Carlos Sainz claimed pole but Verstappen joined the Ferrari on the front row after a fine drive once again in the Red Bull
Drivers arrive at the circuit
The race is a little under two hours away from beginning in Mexico City and the drivers have all filtered into the circuit.
Max Verstappen seems determined to have a strong day but will need to get the better of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari and the McLaren of Lando Norris.
Constructors’ Championship table
1. McLaren - 544 points
2. Red Bull - 504 points
3. Ferrari - 496 points
4. Mercedes - 344 points
5. Aston Martin - 86 points
6. Haas - 38 points
7. RB - 36 points
8. Williams - 17 points
9. Alpine - 13 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
What is the 2024 F1 calendar?
ROUND 20 - MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 25-27 October
ROUND 21 - BRAZIL (sprint race)
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 1-3 November
ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Street Circuit - 21-23 November
ROUND 23 - QATAR (sprint race)
Lusail International Circuit, Lusail - 29 November - 1 December
ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI
Yas Marina Circuit - 6-8 December
Johnny Herbert insists Red Bull should drop Sergio Perez immediately
Former F1 race winner Johnny Herbert believes Red Bull need to drop Sergio Perez “sooner rather than later” – and should be replaced by RB driver Yuki Tsunoda.
Perez has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2025 – with an option for 2026 – but has struggled as Max Verstappen’s teammate this year. He has not won a race since April 2023 and trails Verstappen in the championship by 204 points.
The 34-year-old finished seventh in the US Grand Prix on Sunday, while Verstappen finished on the podium. Perez’s future is shrouded in doubt ahead of his home race in Mexico City this weekend.
Johnny Herbert insists Red Bull should drop Sergio Perez immediately
The Red Bull driver competes at his home race, the Mexico City Grand Prix, this weekend
Perez hoping for a change in momentum
“Momentum in F1 is very important,” Sergio Perez said. “If I get a good one here, then the season can take a huge turn.
“The most important thing is that I feel comfortable in the car. At the moment we are unable to unlock the full potential of the car.
“I feel that we are working towards solving it. We are heading in the right direction. This is Formula One, sometimes the results are not coming, you have to keep your head down and focus on the stuff that you can control.”
Max Verstappen wants F1 driver voting rights
Max Verstappen has yet to make peace with Formula One’s governing body after being sanctioned for swearing in a press conference but he is clear on what he would like to see happen in an ideal world.
“Drivers need to get more power,” Red Bull’s triple world champion told Reuters in an interview ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
“It’s a tough one, I know, but this is something that I think is very important for the future, for the young drivers not so much for us.”
Max Verstappen wants F1 driver voting rights amid battle with FIA
The Red Bull driver doesn’t want to race until he’s 40 so is unlikely to catch Hamilton and Michael Schumacher on seven titles
Sergio Perez admits to poor season with speculation over Red Bull future
Sergio Perez admits he has had a “terrible season” as speculation continues over his future at Red Bull. Perez is eighth in the drivers’ standings – 204 points behind team-mate Max Verstappen – and his highest finish in the last 13 races is sixth.
Red Bull are under pressure to hold on to their constructors’ crown, having lost the lead to McLaren – who are now 40 points clear.
“I know I have had a terrible season. It started really well but it has been really difficult for me,” Perez said, “If I get a strong result (here), it can definitely change my season massively, I am really up for it.
“Having Ferrari there does not change anything, we want to win the constructors, finishing second and third is no difference. We want to win it and for that we need both cars with the best possible performance and best possible package.”
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