Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying: Carlos Sainz takes pole position from Max Verstappen and Lando Norris F1 News

Carlos Sainz beat championship protagonists Max Verstappen and Lando Norris to a sensational pole place on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.

Sainz took his first pole place in additional than a yr with two laps to go, which was sufficient for Verstappen to avoid wasting his first lap of Q3 after it was deleted resulting from observe restrictions. Qualifying.

The Dutchman completed 0.225 seconds behind Sainz however was relieved to carry a 57-point lead behind Norris within the drivers’ championship.

McLaren went into qualifying as favorites however Norris was unable to seek out extra velocity when it mattered most and was seeking to overtake Verstappen on the long term into Flip One.

Because the observe progressed, Charles Leclerc was annoyed by a poor closing lap and would begin from fourth, forward of Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

A dramatic qualifying session from begin to end additionally noticed dwelling hero Sergio Perez eradicated in Q1, together with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, So when the lights exit at 8pm, they will have a tricky activity forward, stay Sky Sports activities F1 and sky sports activities major occasion.

Sainz denies title contender pole place after Verstappen completes massive lap

Ferrari seemed sturdy all through Friday follow, however McLaren went one-for-two within the closing follow earlier than qualifying.

Nonetheless, much like final yr’s scenario in Mexico Metropolis, Ferrari quickly made progress because the observe developed and circumstances cooled off barely, with Sainz succumbing to Yuki Tsunoda’s crash late within the second quarter. And the postponement took full benefit of this.

The Spaniard, who will depart Ferrari subsequent yr to hitch Williams, was quicker than Verstappen after the primary dash of Q3 earlier than going quicker within the second to consolidate pole place Yuan.

Nonetheless, there was drama for Verstappen, who was below great stress when his race was canceled on the primary lap of the third quarter for taking the second nook.

He confirmed why he is gained the final three world championships, although he improved on his unlawful efforts with an excellent lap and, most significantly, saved the automotive inside the observe limits to beat Nobel by 0.089 seconds. Rhys strikes into the entrance row.

Norris struggled in Q3 however recovered to 3rd and can look to make the most of the slipstream impact heading into flip one.

Nonetheless, neither title contender may come near Sainz, who took pole place for the primary time for the reason that 2023 Singapore Grand Prix.

“Very joyful, accomplished a number of laps. Lots of instances in Mexico you at all times have a sense like you’ll be able to’t full a lap and there is numerous slippage, which could be very tough,” Sainz stated.

“However to be sincere, my two laps in Q3 have been virtually equivalent, virtually excellent. I simply did two very strong laps in Q3, which was sufficient to get pole place and be very joyful due to the circumstances round Mexico. That is not normally the case, and the way tough it may be.

Leclerc needed to accept fourth after a chaotic two laps within the closing phases of qualifying, however with Piastri and Perez eradicated within the first quarter, Ferrari nonetheless had an opportunity to make amends within the constructors’ championship. McLaren is 48 factors behind.

Russell completed fifth in his fledgling Mercedes after a severe crash in second follow.

The British driver’s automotive, a Miami-spec Mercedes in Might, was compelled to alter the chassis in a single day as a result of the group didn’t have sufficient spare elements.

Nonetheless, he nonetheless certified forward of Hamilton, whose automotive was fitted with a brand new flooring however who made a mistake on the ultimate lap of qualifying.

Perez and Piastri have been eradicated early

Perez admits he is had a “horrible” season and has been a driver below stress as his hometown crowd expects him to carry out properly at Rodriguez.

However all the things went incorrect through the first a part of qualifying, as he was uncompetitive for all three laps and led to his fifth elimination of 2024.

The Mexican clearly lacked the boldness to assault the corners and would subsequently begin from 18th, behind Piastri, who made a pricey mistake within the first quarter.

“It was very tough, it was tough to cease the automotive. I simply could not management it,” Perez, who’s below stress to maintain his Pink Bull seat regardless of being contracted till 2025, advised reporters. Sky Sports activities F1.

“I could not cease rapidly and I simply put an excessive amount of power into the tire braking. That was the principle downside for me.

“It was similar to the remainder of the weekend. I simply could not cease the automotive and I struggled in that a part of the low-speed section, which is type of much like Austin after I could not assault the flip and wanted to brake, and there is numerous that right here. .

“[On Sunday] It’s necessary to attempt to take advantage of this present day. If we are able to get some good outcomes it is going to be an excellent effort, however from the place we’re it’ll be very tough.

Piastri locked up at Flip 4 on the primary qualifying lap after which had a lap canceled for operating vast at Flip 12. quarter, however the mistake price him a couple of second on the lap.

Now operating on older softer rubber, Piastri does not have sufficient tire life to flee the underside 5 and is unlikely to play a task in serving to Norris within the title race, very similar to Perez and Verstappen. Similar.

“I simply acquired out of the automotive at Flip 12 and I used to be stranded on the aspect of the highway, that is it,” Piastri stated. Sky Sports activities F1.

“My lap was simply sufficient, so it was very irritating to make that mistake. I misplaced a couple of second. It was painful.

“It is only a tough observe however I do not suppose qualifying was tough, I simply made a very dangerous mistake and that is all.

“We have been in the same scenario final yr with Lando, so I am going to verify I do my homework and see how he went by means of the sphere and attempt to do the identical factor I believe.”

Sky Sports activities F1 Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix stay schedule

Sunday, October 27
6.30pm: Sunday Grand Prix: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix preparation*
8pm: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix*
10pm: Checkered Flag: Reactions to Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix

*Additionally stay on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion (recreation begins at 7.30pm on Sunday)

The Formulation One Americas tripleheader continues with the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix on Sunday at 8pm, broadcast stay on Sky Sports activities F1 and Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion. Watch every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime