Mexican Grand Prix – Qualifying: Verstappen secures his 19th pole position!

Q1: Hamilton confirms the good form of the Mercedes.

For this first part of the qualifying session, many drivers complained about grip conditions.

In Q1, it’s Valtteri Bottas who surprises with the third fastest time, three tenths behind Max Verstappen.

Sergio Perez, having missed his first attempt, decides to go for another stint on worn tires. He takes off for a flying lap alone on the track, in communion with his fans.

During the second attempt, Lewis Hamilton overtakes Verstappen at the top of the session by 5 tenths. He thus confirms that the silver arrows will have to be reckoned with for the pole position.

Kevin Magnussen will be the only representative for Haas, he finishes 15th in this session. At the back of the grid, we find the two Williams, but also the two Aston Martin cars that don’t shine as brightly as they did last week in Austin.

The eliminated drivers from this Q1 are: Latifi, Albon, Stroll, Vettel, and Schumacher.

Q2: The Mercedes confirm their position at the top of the ranking.

From the beginning of Q2, Mercedes and Red Bull fight for the best lap times. But we also find Valtteri Bottas joining in to secure his third place just behind the two Mercedes. This Alfa Romeo seems very comfortable on the Rodríguez brothers’ track. The Ferraris remain behind, still very unstable when crossing certain curbs or accelerating.

Like in Q1, Sergio Perez sets himself up for a second quick lap, all alone with his fans. This potentially allows him to reclaim the third position.

Carlos Sainz finds the key, and slots himself between the two Mercedes. The Ferraris therefore join in the fight for pole position.

On the disappointment side, Pierre Gasly can’t do any better than 14th place, and Ricciardo fails at the doorstep of this Q3.

The eliminations from this Q2 are: Magnussen, Gasly, Tsunoda, Zhou, Ricciardo.

Q3: Max Verstappen dominates the Mercedes.

Sergio Perez initiates the discussion for this ultimate qualifying session, and the Mexican driver executes a perfect lap by lighting up all sectors in purple. The two Ferraris fall behind him, allowing Verstappen to settle in front of his teammate and the two Mercedes cars behind Perez. Hamilton sees his time canceled as he exceeded the track limits at turns two and three. Everything has to be redone in one final and decisive lap in this Q3.

For this second round of laps, the Ferrari drivers eliminate themselves right from the start with a first sector 4 tenths of a second off the fastest time. Sergio Perez improves, but remains in third place.

Verstappen succeeds in improving and secures his first pole position in Mexico, his 19th in his career.

George Russell will be by his side on Sunday for the race. Lewis Hamilton completes the qualifying podium.

Valtteri Bottas successfully managed to insert himself between the two Ferraris, while the two Alpines sit at the rear of this Q3, with Alonso in front of Ocon.

The rankings: