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Formula 1
Mexico City GP
F1 Mexico GP Live Commentary and Updates – FP3 & Qualifying
Saturday's action from the 19th round of the 2023 Formula 1 season
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Max Verstappen and Red Bull may have both world championship crowns tied up already, but there remains plenty to play for in Mexico.
After seeing his points advantage over Lewis Hamilton grow to 39 points through the Mercedes driver's disqualification in the United States, Sergio Perez will be keen to put on a show for his home fans and solidify his second position in the standings.
FP3 starts at 6:30pm BST with qualifying at 10:00pm BST.
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Williams' struggles continue with Albon only P11 at this stage and four-tenths off the top 10.
Ricciardo goes P2 but is displaced by his countryman, Piastri. Both are clear of Perez, who is now fourth.
Stopwatch
The first times are posted and Verstappen goes half-a-second clear of Perez once again. A 1m17.625 is the early target time.
Hamilton is now being investigated for failing to slow for the yellow flags at the end of Q1.
Verstappen and Perez are the first drivers to take to the track for a banker time.
Lights green
Anyway, after all of that, Q2 is go!
Those noted for exceding the maximum lap time - Russell, Norris and Zhou - will be investigated after the session.
Sargeant too has been noted for failing to slow under yellows. Both he and Tsunoda have been noted for overtaking under yellow flags.
And even more work for the stewards, as Russell, Norris, and Zhou have all been noted for failing to follow the race director's instructions with regard to a maximum lap time.
And more bad news for Mercedes, as Hamilton has been noted for failing to slow under yellow flag conditions.
In all that - Ocon, Magnussen, Stroll, Norris and Sargeant are all out in Q1.
Replays show that Verstappen and Russell both stopped at the front of the field in the pitlane and significantly held back their rivals. The incidents will be investigated after the session.
But a massive shock! Norris is out and will start at the back of the grid.
Alonso spun at Turn 3.
While the yellow flags were out, DRS was deactivated in sector one.
Checkered flag
The chequered flag falls and Sargeant is out.
Yellow flag
Yellow flags in sector one as Alonso goes off the track.
Verstappen is being investigated for impeding in the pitlane and Russell has also been noted for the same thing. It's chaos!
Quote
"The tyres are completely gone. It's a completely different car," reports Albon. Concerning times after such a strong start.
This is utterly bizarre in the pitlane as Russell holds the pack back. Many cars are at a full stop in the pits. It's like a regular scene at the Dartford Crossing.
Piastri improves from P18 to P2, but Norris fails to improve his time and will have to hope that his tyres are able to hang on for another lap.
On his best effort, Albon has been shown to have run across one of the sausage kerbs that line the Mexican track. With a clean effort, he should make the cut.
Replays show that Sargeant lost the rear of his Williams through Turn 11 and ran wide at Turn 12. He has asked the team to check his floor for damage.
Off come the tyre blankets for Norris and he takes to the track on a fresh set of soft tyres.
Only Gasly and Ocon remain on the track.
Sargeant - who was already in the bottom five - is now last after his time was deleted for track limits.
Stroll and - gasp! - Albon are also in the bottom five.
Stroll and - gasp! - Albon are also in the bottom five.
The two McLaren drivers look to be in a bit of strife right now, with Norris not setting a time on his mediums before returning to the pits, and Piastri currently third-last and also in the pits.
Bottas goes third! His Alfa Romeo has had strong pace so far, as has Ricciardo's AlphaTauri - the Australian is now second.
You can tell the teams that are feeling confident, with Hamilton, Russell and Piastri among those using the medium compound tyres in this session.
Stopwatch
The grandstands erupt as Perez goes fastest, but then quickly fall silent once more as Verstappen bests his team-mate by half a second, hitting a 1m18.099s.
Hamilton is third, six-tenths off the benchmark.
Hamilton is third, six-tenths off the benchmark.
The timing screen is a blur of green and purple!
Stopwatch
After Gasly and Stroll fell short of Magnussen, Alonso goes one-tenth faster only, with a 1m19.604s. That will almost certainly not be strong enough to clear the bar for Q2.
And here come some of the bigger names, as Perez, Verstappen and Russell all leave the pits.
Stopwatch
The first time of the session comes from Magnussen with a 1m19.730s.
But the rest of the field appear less keen to join the party. As we say that, Stroll and Alonso exit the pits for Aston Martin.
Magnussen is the first to take to the track with Gasly quickly following the Haas onto the track.
Lights green
We are go for Q1!
The music plays, I have a little nerdy bop to myself, and it's time for the serious stuff to get going. Who are you backing for pole position?
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By: Autosport Staff
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