Janice R. Andrews
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz delivered a masterful performance in Mexico City, claiming pole position with a spectacular final lap of 1m15.946s. The Spanish driver had already set the pace with an earlier 1m16.055s before improving further, ultimately outpacing championship leader Max Verstappen by 0.225 seconds.
Verstappen’s path to second place proved dramatic. The Red Bull driver’s initial Q3 attempt was invalidated after exceeding track limits at the Turn 2/3 chicane, forcing him to deliver under pressure. His final lap of 1m16.171s secured front-row status, fending off a resurgent Lando Norris.
McLaren and Ferrari Share Row Two
After a challenging start in Q3, Norris mounted an impressive recovery to claim third position. The McLaren driver will share the second row with Charles Leclerc, who overcame a heart-stopping moment in the high-speed sections to secure fourth, though trailing his Ferrari teammate Sainz by three-tenths.
Mercedes Locks Out Third Row
The Mercedes pairing of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured fifth and sixth respectively, with Russell maintaining his edge over his decorated teammate. Haas’s Kevin Magnussen produced a standout performance for seventh, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly secured eighth.
Williams and Haas Complete Top Ten
Williams driver Alex Albon and Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top ten, with Hulkenberg’s final attempt compromised by a mistake at Turn 12.
Q2 Drama: Tsunoda Incident Reshuffles Order
A significant crash involving Yuki Tsunoda at Turn 12 brought Q2 to an abrupt halt. The red flag period prevented several drivers, including Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Valtteri Bottas, from completing their final attempts. Tsunoda’s teammate Liam Lawson also saw his Q3 hopes dashed by the interruption.
Early Exits for Home Hero and Practice Pacesetter
Q1 produced major surprises as local favorite Sergio Perez and FP3 leader Oscar Piastri failed to advance. Perez struggled with brake performance in slower corners, managing only 15th before elimination, while Piastri’s promising practice pace evaporated after a track limits violation nullified a crucial lap.
Grid’s Final Positions
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu will start from the back, with Ocon’s final sector struggles preventing him from advancing past Lance Stroll.
The stage is now set for an intriguing race, with Sainz leading the charge and both Verstappen and Norris poised to challenge from prime positions.
