Summary

  • Sainz wins, Norris 2nd, Leclerc 3rd

  • Verstappen penalised 20 seconds for battles with Norris

  • Verstappen had taken lead off line from Sainz

  • Verstappen finishes sixth

  • Tsunoda and Albon out after first lap crash; Alonso retires

  • Get involved #bbcf1

Live Reporting

Lorraine McKenna

  1. Festival atmosphere

    The drivers' parade earlier was as colourful as anything else on the calendar this year.

    Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon wave to the crowd during the drivers paradeGetty Images
    MexicoGetty Images
    Sergio Perez fansGetty Images

  2. Return to winning ways for Verstappen?

    Sergio Perez and Max VerstappenGetty Images

    When Max Verstappen won seven of the first 10 races of the season, it seemed the Dutchman was destined to dominate once again.

    But since his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in June, Verstappen has found himself lacking in the grands prix wins department, only triumphing in the shorter sprints in Austria and Austin.

    Could we see a situation where Verstappen is crowned champion after a winless drought? It is a possibility. While he highlighted Red Bull were "massively on the back foot" this weekend, Verstappen is a five-time winner in Mexico, three of those consecutively in the last three years.

  3. Norris 'happy' with P3

    Lando Norris and Max VerstappenGetty Images

    So, Lando Norris could take advantage of Max Verstappen's superior position off the line thanks to that handy slipstream before the braking zone.

    The McLaren driver said he was "pretty happy" with his third in qualifying, feeling like he had reached the limit of the car but ultimately struggling to extract any more of out of it.

    Amazingly, Norris' P3 in qualifying is McLaren's highest starting position in Mexico since three-time world champion Ayrton Senna started in the same spot in 1991. Sadly for any good luck omens, Senna finished the race exactly where he started.

  4. 'I feel honoured to be here' - Alonso

    Speaking during the drivers' parade, Fernando Alonso said it was a "privilege" to reach 400 appearances.

    "I feel honoured to be here," said Alonso. "Especially in Mexico celebrating this race. Hopefully, we will put on a good show for everybody.

    "It's special, for sure, all the celebrations together with my team. But when we close the visor, it is a normal race."

    Fernando AlonsoGetty Images
    Fernando AlonsoGetty Images
    Fernando AlonsoGetty Images

  5. Alonso entering the 400 club

    Fernando AlonsoGetty Images

    One bit of admin to get put of the way first. The F1 movie starring Brad Pitt is being filmed this weekend in Mexico, so the levels of interest in the paddock have gone up a notch.

    Back in the real world and a driver who the fictional Sonny Hayes is actually older than, Fernando Alonso, is celebrating a remarkable achievement in Mexico today. The two-time world champion has reached 400 entry in Formula 1 since making his debut at the Australian Grand Prix in 2001.

    A lot has happened to the Spaniard during his time in the sport - good and bad - so try your luck at our Alonso quiz here

    Brad PittGetty Images

  6. Piastri looking to make up places

    Oscar PiastriGetty Images

    McLaren also lost a rear gunner yesterday in the first part of qualifying with Oscar Piastri joining Sergio Perez on the big name casualty list.

    The Australian said his afternoon at high altitude was "painful and disappointing", and while he is starting one place higher than Red Bull's Perez, Piastri is looking to last season's Mexico race for inspiration.

    "We're in a similar starting position to Lando at this event last year (Norris qualified 19th, started P17 and finished fifth), and he still had a good race, so we'll look to push forward and make up as many places as we can."

  7. Pit lane open

    Carlos Sainz has just tapped Lando Norris in a very delicate area as the McLaren driver was about to speak to Sky Sports. Ouch.

    The pit lane is open.

  8. 'I feel proud to have the best crowd in the world' - Perez

    Sergio Perez at the Mexican GP.Getty Images

    Red Bull's Sergio Perez on the crowd at his home grand prix: "It is an amazing feeling and makes me look back on my career and makes me feel extremely proud to have the best car in the world."

    On approaching the race" "It wasn't an ideal place for it to happen but we will try and do everything today and hopefully we can score some points."

  9. Disappointing qualifying for Perez

    Sergio PerezGetty Images

    The fans are out in force for Sergio Perez this weekend, and he has walked into the paddock today with a smile on his face, but there's no denying yesterday's qualifying with a huge disappointment for the home driver.

    Both Perez and team-mate Max Verstappen have flagged issues with the Red Bull since the track action began on Friday, but it was the Mexican who suffered a Q1 knockout on Saturday - his fifth this season - resulting in a P18 start.

    "We were just struggling too much with stopping the car," said Perez. "For example into the low speed I cannot brake, I cannot stop the car, as soon as I attack the braking I start sliding, that is definitely my main issue at the moment."

  10. 'I can't wait for the race' - Sainz

    Carlos Sainz at the Mexico GP.Getty Images

    Pole sitter Carlos Sainz spoke to Sky Sports on his biggest challenge to get the win today, he said: "I've been feeling very comfortable in the car, I feel like everything is working really well and I know how to drive it to extract maximum lap time.

    "I honestly can't wait for the race it will be an exciting one, especially on that run down to Turn One and an exciting race to do it."

    "I do believe with starts there is a lot of preparation that goes into it especially for the launch and then when that happens a lot of it is down to instinct and you racing instinct that kicks in, I trust that in myself and hopefully we will make it work today."

    On breaking the tow, he added: "Breaking the tow is important but obviously it's very difficult to know and predict how your rivals are going to start, are they going to start a little bit better or worse, so I will look in my mirrors and see where they are.

    "If anything on what I see and feel I will do one thing or the other."

  11. 'Almost perfect' lap for Sainz

    Carlos SainzGetty Images

    Carlos Sainz secured his sixth career pole in Formula 1 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez but can the Spaniard turn it into a fourth career victory?

    Sainz said his two laps in Q3, which were both good enough for the front row spot, were "almost perfect", adding: "I’m very happy because that’s not normally the case around Mexico with how tricky it is."

    Last week's second place at COTA was Sainz's first podium since the Austrian Grand Prix before the summer break. If he can take the chequered flag today - Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has already acknowledged Sainz's long run pace has looked impressive - Mexico would be added to Australia for 2024 race wins.

  12. Pit lane start for Ocon

    Starting gridFIA

    Esteban Ocon was knocked out in Q1 anyway on Saturday, so Alpine have taken the chance to change the battery pack under parc ferme conditions, meaning a pit lane start for the Frenchman.

    Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris are starting in the podium places, with Charles Leclerc and the two Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton chasing from fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

    Pierre Gasly produced another strong performance in qualifying to put the second Alpine in eighth and Williams also have a car in the top 10 with Alex Albon starting ninth.

    The two drivers with it all to do, however, are Oscar Piastri and home driver Sergio Perez. The pair will have to recover from 17th and 18th and work their way through the field to come away with any points from round 20.

  13. Chequered Flag podcast: Mexico qualifying review

    Chequered Flag podcast

    Harry Benjamin, McLaren Formula E driver,Sam Bird and BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reflect on yesterday's qualifying session.

    Are Ferrari the favourites heading into the race? And what next in the battle for the title, with Max Verstappen qualifying in second and Lando Norris third?

    Have a listen as we go along here

  14. Good evening

    Mariachi bandGetty Images

    Hello, folks. The clocks have gone back, it's dark already and here we are on a Sunday night, ready for some exciting Formula 1 entertainment. The second race in this first triple-header is only an hour away.

    Saturday's qualifying brought us some shock eliminations in Q1 and the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz beating title leader Max Verstappen by two tenths to pole position.

    Lights out at the Mexico City Grand Prix are at 20:00 BST.

    Harry Benjamin, McLaren Formula E Driver Sam Bird and BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson will be with us for commentary. You can listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and at the top of this page using the 'listen live' tab.

    Alternatively, you can ask BBC Sounds to play Mexico City Grand Prix via most smart speakers.

  15. Sainz surprise

    Carlos SainzGetty Images

    Carlos Sainz has five races left for Ferrari before he waves goodbye to life at Maranello and heads for a very British challenge at Williams.

    The Spaniard secured his first pole position since the Singapore Grand Prix in 2023 during yesterday qualifying session and will lead the field off the line, with title rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris right behind him.

    After a one-two finish in Austin last time out, Sainz has the chance to spearhead the Italian team's bid to leapfrog Red Bull in the constructors' championship.

    Will Sainz hand Ferrari the ultimate parting gift in the vibrant hub Mexico City?

    Vamos!