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Mexico City GP - Qualifying

Updated: Jan 30, 2025

F1 cars on track with an overlay of the Mexico City GP circuit outline.


Mexico City GP


Qualifying

October 26, 2024


Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz delivered a spectacular performance in Mexico City, claiming pole position with a blistering lap of 1:15.946 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Beating title contenders Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, Sainz secured his sixth career pole and set himself up for a potential second win this season. His consistent performance, marked by back-to-back “almost perfect” laps, underscored Ferrari’s recent momentum after Charles Leclerc led a 1-2 finish at last week’s U.S. Grand Prix.


Sainz: “A Great Couple of Laps”


Reflecting on his pole-winning lap, Sainz emphasized the challenge of the Mexico circuit, particularly due to the slippery track. “A lot of times around Mexico, you have the feeling that you cannot put a lap together,” Sainz shared, noting how difficult it was to handle the sliding. Yet, his efforts paid off as his final Q3 laps were near flawless, landing him the top spot.


Verstappen on the Front Row Despite Pressure


Championship leader Max Verstappen claimed the second slot on the grid despite a rocky session. His first Q3 attempt was deleted for exceeding track limits, putting the Red Bull driver under significant pressure after a tough practice on Friday. “I didn’t do a lot of laps [yesterday], so we are playing a lot of catch-up,” Verstappen admitted, expressing relief over making it to the front row despite his earlier setback.


Norris Happy with Third


McLaren’s Lando Norris will start from the second row, a solid position as he chases down Verstappen in the championship standings. “I’m pretty happy with third, honestly,” Norris said, noting that while he quickly reached the car’s limits, he found it challenging to extract more speed in his final two laps. Acknowledging Sainz’s form, he shared his satisfaction with McLaren’s continued competitiveness.


Perez and Piastri Struggle from the Back of the Grid


Local favorite Sergio Perez faced heartbreak at his home Grand Prix, with braking issues relegating him to 18th place for Sunday’s start. “It’s obviously very disappointing,” Perez admitted, calling it a “tricky event.” McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, made a rare mistake during his lap and will start from 17th, despite his optimism about the car’s potential. Both drivers will be looking to work their way up, especially since Norris managed to turn a 17th-place start last year into a top-five finish.


Ferrari and Mercedes in Strong Positions


Ferrari’s Leclerc expressed disappointment with his fourth-place finish, saying it made his task “more difficult” for the race. The Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton will start from the third row after Russell’s heavy crash in Friday’s FP2 session necessitated a late rebuild for his car. With a solid starting position, both drivers will aim to keep pressure on the front runners and capitalize on any opportunities.


Red Flags and Eliminations


Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda caused the session’s only red flag after crashing in Q2, which also ended rookie teammate Liam Lawson’s run. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas joined them as Q2 eliminations, while Williams rookie Franco Colapinto surprised by outperforming both Piastri and Perez in Q1.


With Sainz starting on pole, Ferrari has a golden opportunity to build on their recent successes. Verstappen and Norris are locked in a title chase, with Verstappen keen to protect his 57-point lead. Meanwhile, Ferrari will aim to capitalize on McLaren’s and Red Bull’s struggles at the back of the grid, potentially making significant strides in the constructors' standings. The long run to Turn 1 in Mexico promises an electrifying start, and fans can expect an intense battle for position right from the lights-out.



Mexico City GP 2024 Qualifying Result


Disqualified from Q1


  1. Franco Colapinto, Williams (1:17.558)

  2. Oscar Piastri, McLaren (1:17.597)

  3. Sergio Pérez, Red Bull (1:17.611)

  4. Esteban Ocon, Alpine (1:17.617)

  5. Zhou Guanyu, Sauber (1:18.072)


Disqualified from Q2


  1. Yuki Tsunoda, RB (1:17.129)

  2. Liam Lawson, RB (1:17.162)

  3. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (1:17.168)

  4. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (1:17.294)

  5. Valtteri Bottas, Sauber (1:17.817)


Top 10 Qualifying from Mexico City GP 2024


  1. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari (1:15.946)

  2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull (1:16.171)

  3. Lando Norris, McLaren (1:16.260)

  4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (1:16.265)

  5. George Russell, Mercedes (1:16.356)

  6. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (1:16.651)

  7. Kevin Magnussen, Haas (1:16.886)

  8. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (1:16.892)

  9. Alexander Albon, Williams (1:17.065)

  10. Nico Hülkenberg, Haas (1:17.365)

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