Sainz snatches Mexico's Pole Position

Carlos Sainz has taken pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen (2nd) and Lando Norris (3rd).

Sainz edged out the top two in the driver’s championship by over two tenths. Verstappen, who had his initial Q3 time deleted for track limits, delivered under pressure to put his car on the front row on his only valid lap.

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Lando Norris had looked like the favourite for pole after setting the benchmark in Q1 and Q2. However, he had to settle for third, a position that has won three of the last four races in Mexico. Charles Leclerc was fourth, his performance was inferior to his teammate all weekend but still ahead of the two Mercedes.

Both Norris’ and Verstappen’s teammates suffered poor qualifying, being knocked out in Q1. Piastri made errors on all of his laps, while Sergio Pérez struggled to control his car, with his worst ever qualifying for his home race.

Kevin Magnussen (7th) was the best of the midfield drivers, helping Haas in their battle with RB for sixth in the constructor’s championship. Yuki Tsunoda crashed at the end of Q2, knocking both Liam Lawson and himself out of qualifying.

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While overtaking is usually difficult at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the grid order often gets jumbled out on the opening lap.

This is because of the long run from the starting grid to the first corner, allowing drivers on the second row to slipstream each other.

Ferrari have the advantage, with two cars at the front of the grid, aiding them in race strategy and in their attempt to catch Red Bull and McLaren in the constructor’s championship.

The Scuderia looked very strong on Friday’s race runs, which might encourage Verstappen or Norris to take a risk at Turn 1.

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