F1 Mexico GP Live Commentary and Updates - Race
Minute-by-minute updates from the 2024 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix
Carlos Sainz took his first pole position of the 2024 season on Saturday for the middle event of the F1 triple-header.
He will be followed off the grid by Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc. Home hero Sergio Perez and Norris' McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri will line up in 18th and 17th respectively.
The lights will go out to signal the race start at 8pm GMT.
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Just over 10 minutes until cars will roll off the grid.
Drivers aren't in a huge rush to hop in their cars after the pre-race obligations - Gasly is sat up against the wall chilling out.
Wonder if Sonny Hayes will win this?
Probably the most people we have had performing an anthem this season. Very boisterous although acapella means it lacks that 'oomph' we desire.
A solid 7/10. Well done Mexico GP.
It's national anthem time and I feel a bit of pressure taking over this week's performance rating...
Marshals clear away the car of George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, in FP2
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
The track surface has left plenty of drivers struggling across practice and qualifying, with plenty of incidents.
Gasly and Piastri both found the runoff at T1, Russell crashed at the mid-sector Esses and it was lock-up central into the stadium section.
It could be a messy race if grip levels remain that low.
That left the home fans disappointed last year, but what would happen if Perez left F1 altogether?
So what are the pitfalls that could hit at T1? Well ask Perez about last year and you'll know that the slipstream into the first corner can be as dangerous as it is helpful.
A collision when three-wide last year put him out before the race had really begun.
As usual, the crowd is pretty sizeable around the circuit, especially in the Foro Sol stadium.
Vibrant colours, Dia de los Muertos-style outfits and, of course, the lucha libre masks filling the grandstands. What an occasion this is!
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
400th race event - first to the grid for Alonso
It was not the result Perez wanted or needed with his future still seemingly on the line with Red Bull and Helmut Marko wasn't mincing his words after qualifying...
Mercedes rounded out the third row behind Charles Leclerc, with Haas again impressing, as did Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly.
Tsunoda's crash prevented himself and team-mate Liam Lawson from reaching the top 10, while Oscar Piastri and Sergio Perez laboured to a Q1 elimination each.
For those that missed qualifying, what did you miss?
Well, Sainz set two laps good enough for pole in Q3, with Verstappen having to settle for the dirty side of the grid. Norris is on the clean side and will benefit from a slipstream on the long run to T1.
The start could be blockbuster!
Esteban Ocon failed to reach Q2 in qualifying and, with changes to the Alpine's engine, he will start from the pitlane.
Yuki Tsunoda crashed out in Q2 but has just praised his team over the radio, saying the RB "feels exactly the same as yesterday" before hailing a "super job" by the mechanics.
The pit exit is now open and the cars are starting to complete their reconnaissance laps to the grid. From there, of course, the drivers will park up in their spots and spend the next 30 minutes or so preparing out of the cars.
And someone who was there at Alonso's first race was MSI photographer Steven Tee.
Here he is with the special crash helmet for the occasion!
The man of the moment greets his team ahead of the 'Alonso 400'.
The pitlane is about to open for the laps to the grid, with Fernando Alonso marking his 400th grand prix weekend.
What a milestone that is for the Spaniard.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Mexico Grand Prix.
Carlos Sainz starts on pole for Ferrari after a stunning qualifying display, with title protagonists Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in behind.
Who will emerge victorious today?
By: Autosport Staff
