Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“Sergio Perez has had an extraordinary weekend, to say the least. His every move cheered by the thousands of fans in the grandstands, the Mexican’s time out of the car has been a whirlwind of PR events promoting the race and his sponsors. Yet he seems to have handled it pretty well so far. 

"‘I felt very privileged to be driving at home,’ he said after qualifying ninth, ‘and to feel so much support from the fans. They have given me lots of energy and I’m extremely motivated to give them something to celebrate this weekend - that’s the best way to repay them."

Image source, AP

Sergio Perez starts from ninth today and having finished on the podium just two races ago, coupled with the crowd behind him, he'll surely fancy his chances of competing for another today?

Image source, Reuters

Image source, _

Lewis Hamilton holds an unassailable lead at the top of the standings, but the battle for second is very much alive. Sebastian Vettel is just four points ahead of Nico Rosberg.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“What had promised through the practice sessions to be a close qualifying session fizzled out somewhat as the Mercedes stretched their legs when it mattered, as they usually do. But Sebastian Vettel, only 0.4secs behind in third, felt that things were a bit closer than normal, and predicted an entertaining race. ‘Sundays we are usually a bit closer to them,’ he said. 

‘We were all hoping for a close qualifying also with the Red Bulls and Williams but it could be a very close race with those teams and five to eight cars with a similar pace, which makes it tough. Should be an interesting race and not that easy to manage (the tyres).’”

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Interestingly, Nico Rosberg's father Keke raced in Mexico the first time it returned to the F1 calendar after a long absence back in 1986.

On that occasion, Keke retired with a puncture while running outside the points.

Fair to say Nico will be hoping it won't be a case of like father like son today.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“Lewis Hamilton’s world championship campaign this season was founded on 11 poles in the first 12 races, seven of which he converted into victories (and it should have been eight, had it not been for his bad luck in Monaco). So it is slightly odd that Hamilton clinched the title after three races in each of which he was beaten to pole by Nico Rosberg, who has made it four in a row this weekend in Mexico City. If Hamilton is perturbed by this turn of events, he is not showing it - and well he might not, given that he has won each one of those three races.

Image source, Getty Images

"Hamilton said he was ‘fairly relaxed’ about being second. Why? It’s to do with the long run to the first corner, and the opportunity to slipstream Rosberg. ‘Actually it’s one of the best spots to start, second or third because it’s a long, long way down to Turn One,’ Hamilton said. ‘Just as in Russia.  I don’t know if it’s longer than Russia but I’m quite happy with my spot. The races have always been proved to be quite good ones for me so I’m excited.’

“What he did not mention, but might as well have, is that since starts were put more into the drivers’ hands at the Belgian Grand Prix in August, Hamilton has made consistently better starts than Rosberg. However, starting off line on a brand new track may well mean Hamilton has to look backwards rather than forwards.”

The sweet taste of success eh, Mercedes? Only one question: Who will pick up that trophy? 

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Image source, Reuters

“It is nothing short of a sporting tragedy to see two world-class drivers such as Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button continually starting from the back and with little chance of making progress. But the two of them have developed a sort of good-humoured, weary resignation about the situation now, which is only occasionally bubbling over into outward frustration. 

"They face another one in Mexico, starting together on the back row following a series of engine penalties. Button did not even make it out for qualifying because of repeated problems with his new-spec engine and has an academic 70-place penalty.

“Alonso said he was hoping for rain: ‘We have an interesting race with some rain around that hopefully help us recover some places. We need some chaos in the race, starting last it only helps and we see how many races we can recover.’ Button, extremely limited on mileage, said he would ‘just follow Fernando at the start and see how it goes’.”

Image source, Getty Images

John Surtees won the Mexican Grand Prix in a Cooper back in 1966, making him the last man to win grands prix for two different constructors in the same season, having won the 1966 Belgian GP in a Ferrari.

Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have all had varying grid-place penalties applied for today.

Raikkonen has a 35-place penalty because of a gearbox and engine change, there's a 20-place penalty for Alonso but Button took the biggest hit, with 70. 

Taking that into consideration, I make it that Button starts just shy of the planet Mars...

1) Nico Rosberg 2) Lewis Hamilton 3) Sebastian Vettel 4) Daniil Kvyat 5) Daniel Ricciardo 6) Valtteri Bottas 7) Felipe Massa 8) Max Verstappen 9) Sergio Perez 10) Nico Hulkenberg 

11) Carlos Sainz 12) Romain Grosjean 13) Pastor Maldonado 14) Marcus Ericsson 15) Felipe Nasr 16) Alexander Rossi 17) Will Stevens 18) Fernando Alonso  19) Kimi Raikkonen 

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Image source, Getty Images

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Image source, Getty Images

There is a crowd of more than 100,000 in Mexico City.

Available for weddings, bah mitzvahs and grands prix...

World champion Lewis Hamilton says: "I've had the most amazing week and I'm loving it here.

"I'm just humbled to be here. I've never seen such an amazing crowd. I've been racing for a long time but this is the best crowd I've ever seen. I hope we put on a good show."

Image source, Mercedes

Come with me now as we take a step into the unknown. 

No current driver has raced on this track before and with the low grip surface and high altitude, surely we are in for a few surprises? 

How do you see this race going? Let us know via #bbcf1,, external text in on 81111 (UK only) and have your say on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

I know I've already mentioned it, but the atmosphere is truly something. Maybe it is the acoustics of the stadium section but as Sergio Perez is introduced to the fans the noise is spine tingling. 

"CHECO,CHECO,CHECO," they chant as the Mariachi band is drowned out for a good five minutes until Perez eventually drives off, waving a Mexico flag.

Amazing, he must feel like a rock star.

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“What is Mercedes’ view of the potential for a Turn One incident in Austin between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg? 

"Team boss Toto Wolff said: ‘It is always tricky when it is so close between team-mates or racing cars in general. We are here because we want to see them race and not to pre-agree who goes through the corner first and second. It is always a challenge for us as a team. It is important to have no controversy and if they collide or it gets too hard, it causes controversy. 

"'There is no need to discuss it again. We have had discussions before and after Austin and they are both absolutely aware of the situation.’”

Image source, Getty Images

Meanwhile, this is how Lewis has left Roscoe. Strong look...

Image source, Force India

The locals are certainly backing Sergio Perez, but they are also at the circuit to see the new world champion.

Huge cheers greet Lewis Hamilton as he emerges for the drivers' parade. "Hola Mexico!" he shouts into a microphone before throwing a few caps up into the crowd.