Summary

  • Ricciardo on pole, Verstappen 2nd, Hamilton 3rd, Vettel 4th

  • Hamilton will win fifth world title with 7th or higher on Sunday - race at 19:10 GMT

  • Get involved #bbcf1

Live Reporting

Niamh Lewis

  1. 'Full of intrigue and uncertainty'

    Andrew Benson
    BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

    One of the most unusual and interesting Friday practice days in a long time has left the Mexican Grand Prix weekend full of intrigue and uncertainty.

    On the hyper-soft tyre that is the majority of every team’s allocation, Mercedes and Ferrari were struggling badly, Red Bull were flying and the works Renaults were third and fifth quickest.

    Things were a little more familiar on the race runs on the harder super-soft tyres, on which Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton were very evenly matched with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.

    Max Verstappen looked pretty much untouchable whatever the situation but his race run was truncated by a hydraulics failure.

    Red Bull have had false dawns on Fridays before. But if Verstappen’s pace is translated into qualifying and race, Lewis Hamilton won’t need to worry about even finishing seventh on Sunday - because the Dutchman would win, and if Vettel doesn’t, that is the championship over.

    Can Mercedes and Ferrari turn it around with their tyre homework overnight? This final session will give the first indication.

  2. Buenas tardes

    Buenas tardes for our European followers, since it's afternoon here. We're back for qualifying day, and after yesterday's practice sessions, that pole position looks like it could be anyone's game.

    Red Bull are perhaps the best guesses for now, but who knows if Ferrari and Mercedes have found some pace overnight?

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  3. Max Verstappen topped practice

    Verstappen topped both practice sessions yesterday swiftly followed by Daniel Ricciardo, but unfortunately Verstappen's session ended early with hydraulics failure.

    Ferrari and Mercedes were both off the pace yesterday. Red Bull have a downforce advantage in Mexico, but as the altitude affects power output, it means the other teams gain an advantage, and the playing field is a little more level.

    Renault managed to get their cars in the top 10 yesterday, so what's going to happen today? Can Red Bull stay ahead? Are Ferrari and Mercedes going to pull out some pace? We have one more practice session, before it all comes down to qualifying, and we find out who will be on pole.

    VerstappenGetty Images