Key events
“Every start is different,” says Max Verstappen as he makes his way to his car. It’s rowdy in Mexico. “I don’t want to say we can win the race today.”
News that Esteban Ocon will be starting from the pit lane, having had to change his battery.
And look toward’s 2025’s campaign, with an interview with Charles Leclerc.
I am super excited to be working alongside him. To be, yes, learning from him but at the same time it’s such an exciting challenge for me to be in the same car as such a successful driver and to be able to show what I am capable of. Both of us will want to beat each other, that’s the way it is in F1, but I’m sure it will be a healthy competition.
It will be Fernando Alonso’s 400th GP, and Giles Richards pays tribute.
Norris v Verstappen can still become a close battle.
Saturday’s qualifying
Drivers’ championship standings
1. Max Verstappen – 354pts
2. Lando Norris – 297pts
3. Charles Leclerc – 275pts
4. Oscar Piastri – 247pts
5. Carlos Sainz – 215pts
The starting grid
1. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
3. Lando Norris, McLaren
4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
5. George Russell, Mercedes
6. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
7. Kevin Magnussen, Haas
8. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
9. Alex Albon, Williams
10. Nico Hülkenberg, Haas
11. Yuki Tsunoda, RB
12. Liam Lawson, RB
13. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
14. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
15. Valtteri Bottas, Sauber
16. Franco Colapinto, Williams
17. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
18. Sergio Perez, Red Bull
19. Esteban Ocon, Alpine
20. Zhou Guanyu, Sauber
Preamble
We’re still in North America, and after last week’s thriller in Austin, so much to play for. That Lando Norris and Max Verstappen battle was one for the ages, though the cannier driver won out in the end, and McLaren might have been cannier than take the penalty. Anyway, to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Carlos Sainz leads the field, ahead of Verstappen and Norris. Much to look out for at the start, with Charles Leclerc lurking in fourth.
The race goes at 8pm UK time, that’s 2pm Mexico time.
