Leclerc leads Ferrari one-two as Verstappen trumped in Mexican GP qualifying

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Charles Leclerc claimed pole position for the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday following an eventful qualifying session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. He’ll start alongside team-mate Carlos Sainz on the front row, while Max Verstappen rounded out the top three.

The drama was present from the off as the drivers traded purple sectors during the early stages of Q1 with track evolution playing a major role as predicted. Mercedes and McLaren both sent their drivers out on medium compound tyres as Verstappen set the early pace.

Chaos then ensued in the second half of the session with Verstappen and Russell both placed under investigation. The pair were both spotted stationary at the end of the pit lane, holding up some of their rivals as they prepared to embark on their final flying laps.

A Fernando Alonso spin brought out the yellow flags during the final runs, hindering laps for the likes of Lando Norris. The McLaren driver has been on the podium at each of the last four races, but he will start from the back end of the grid on Sunday after qualifying 19th.

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Q2 was a more straightforward session for the drivers, although Hamilton was placed under investigation for failing to slow under the yellow flags caused by Alonso’s spin in the earlier part of qualifying.

The seven-time world champion finished Q2 at the top of the timing screens, half a tenth ahead of Verstappen, who was closely followed by Russell and the in-form Daniel Ricciardo, who enjoyed an immense session after a difficult return in Austin. 

Alex Albon looked to have edged his Williams car into Q3 following an impressive final lap, but three minutes after Q2 came to a close his lap time was deleted, promoting Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu into the top ten.

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Ferrari looked to have saved the best until last with Leclerc followed closely by team-mate Sainz after the first runs were complete. As summed up by Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle: “Ferrari have pulled a couple of laps out for nowhere. They looked out for the count.”

Home hero Sergio Perez was languishing down in P7 heading into his final run of the afternoon with half a second’s gap to team-mate Verstappen. There was no celebration for him come the chequered flag, but he did improve to P5 on his final run.

As the drivers attempted to improve on their final flying laps, yellow sectors littered the timing screens. All of the top three drivers failed to improve, meaning Ferrari locked out the front row for tomorrow’s Mexican GP.

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