Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc says he’s not celebrating pole anymore regardless of ending first in Q3, while Carlos Sainz says he expects Max Verstappen to be faster in Sunday’s Mexican GP.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc says he’s not celebrating pole anymore regardless of ending first in Q3, while Carlos Sainz says he expects Max Verstappen to be faster in Sunday’s Mexican GP.
Only a few individuals anticipated Ferrari to lock out the entrance row for the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix however Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz carried out when it mattered most on the enterprise finish of qualifying.
The Ferrari duo received their tyres into the optimum working vary as Max Verstappen admitted his Pink Bull automotive received away from him as he pushed somewhat too arduous.
However, given Pink Bull have solely been crushed as soon as on a Sunday all season, world champion Verstappen inevitably stays favorite for the 71-lap race – which begins at 8pm reside on Sky Sports activities F1 – when he’ll goal to beat his personal report of 15 wins in a single marketing campaign
A lot of Ferrari’s hopes will seemingly relaxation on the race’s opening seconds and the long term all the way down to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez’s first nook.
In 2019, Leclerc began from pole alongside then-Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel they usually stored the sphere at bay after the 811m cost to the opening right-hander. However, it will probably get very feisty there as Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen confirmed in that very same race after they made contact simply behind the leaders.
In 2021, Verstappen made a surprising transfer late on the brakes to overhaul the Mercedes of Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, so do not be shocked if we see a three-wide second going into the primary nook.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.
Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.
“It is a very troublesome race. Every little thing can occur, particularly with the cooling. Whichever automotive is behind can do a bit extra administration, so it will probably play in our favour however for that we’d like a great begin,” stated Leclerc.
“Beginning first right here is all the time tough to maintain that place into the primary nook however we’ve had fairly good begins right here, so I am assured we will maintain that place.
“This 12 months Max has been extraordinarily sturdy on the race tempo so in the intervening time we nonetheless have lots of work to do to match them with our race tempo.
“It is a very particular observe for technique, particularly with excessive altitude, tyre administration will likely be an enormous factor. We should be on prime of this. For the technique, we are going to adapt on the go to try to maintain that first place.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Charles Leclerc claimed pole place in a busy Mexico Metropolis qualifying, with Lando Norris failing to make it out of Q1.
Charles Leclerc claimed pole place in a busy Mexico Metropolis qualifying, with Lando Norris failing to make it out of Q1.
How may Ferrari play the begin to maintain Verstappen behind?
If all goes to plan for Ferrari, Leclerc ought to instantly transfer over to the correct hand facet from pole to tow team-mate Sainz all the way down to Flip One and go away Verstappen with no slipstream, doubtlessly leaving the Dutchman susceptible to Daniel Ricciardo – who certified an excellent fourth for AlphaTauri – or the Mercedes’ of Hamilton, sixth, and George Russell, eighth.
Then, Sainz ought to go to the surface of Leclerc within the braking zone and never race his team-mate too arduous so the Ferrari pair can retain their one-two positions.
Requested by Sky Sports activities F1 if the team-mates can work collectively at first, Sainz stated: “If we will in fact. Nevertheless it’s unimaginable to foretell whether or not we will accomplish that. A number of metres higher begin than Max or Charles and instantly we can not play with slipstreams anymore.
“I’ll simply try to do the absolute best begin as a result of I’m beginning on the soiled facet so my begin will likely be weaker than Max and Charles, then we will see the place we’re at.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Daniel Ricciardo says it is ‘fairly cool’ to qualify fourth for the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix and admits having lots of automobiles behind him on the grid is a pleasant feeling.
Daniel Ricciardo says it is ‘fairly cool’ to qualify fourth for the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix and admits having lots of automobiles behind him on the grid is a pleasant feeling.
Will Ferrari have the ability to handle their tyres?
On paper, technique should not be too troublesome for the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix as a result of it is a low degradation observe, so a one-stopper needs to be the way in which ahead.
The one huge risk Ferrari will face if they’re one-two is from an undercut or overcut. It is seemingly that Verstappen should overtake one, or each, of Leclerc and Sainz on the observe – maybe similarly to Monza again in September when he overcame each to win.
It is tyre administration the place Ferrari may very well be susceptible in comparison with the often distinctive put on Pink Bull have had this 12 months. Conserving the tyres in the correct window will likely be simply as vital as the wear and tear although given the altitude of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, which is 2.2km above sea stage.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Mercedes Crew Principal Toto Wolff says that the Ferraris got here out of nowhere after they took a shock one-two forward of Max Verstappen on the Mexico Metropolis GP.
Mercedes Crew Principal Toto Wolff says that the Ferraris got here out of nowhere after they took a shock one-two forward of Max Verstappen on the Mexico Metropolis GP.
Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur advised that there may very well be different components that come to play as a result of nature of the observe.
“On the lengthy stints we primarily centered on cooling (on Friday), like Mercedes, McLaren and Pink Bull. Everybody will likely be extra centered on the brakes and engine,” stated Vasseur.
As for Sainz, he might must play rear-gunner behind Leclerc in an effort to maintain Verstappen behind and he’s not too optimistic about his possibilities.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Max Verstappen says he does not perceive why he’s underneath investigation for stopping within the pit lane and inflicting a site visitors jam throughout Q1 of the Mexico Metropolis GP.
Max Verstappen says he does not perceive why he’s underneath investigation for stopping within the pit lane and inflicting a site visitors jam throughout Q1 of the Mexico Metropolis GP.
“It is going to be very troublesome due to the race tempo they’ve. Usually somehow, or by merely offsetting their tempo with a tyre benefit, they’ll end forward,” admitted the Spaniard.
“Given their race tempo, at one level or one other he can have an opportunity to overhaul us and will probably be as much as us to handle the technique and state of affairs to maintain him behind.”
As for Verstappen, he did not have a lot to say post-qualifying and seemed to be quietly assured about his possibilities of successful so long as he can get by way of the opening corners unscathed.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Max Verstappen and George Russell are underneath investigation for stopping within the pit lane inflicting a site visitors jam throughout Q1 of the Mexico Metropolis GP.
Max Verstappen and George Russell are underneath investigation for stopping within the pit lane inflicting a site visitors jam throughout Q1 of the Mexico Metropolis GP.
“I all the time realized which you could by no means repeat the identical begin,” stated Verstappen in response to a query about whether or not he may repeat that surging Mercedes-beating getaway from the identical place on the grid two years in the past.
“In fact you’ll be able to have a look at it. Rely upon how good your begin is, the road into the primary nook, observe circumstances.
“It is extra simply an intuition and when you do your begin you make your thoughts up on what you need to do. It is a lengthy race. It isn’t received or final on the first nook.”
Requested about his confidence of successful he stated: “Good. Yep. I even have two arduous tyres. No one else has them round me, in order that may very well be a bonus.”
Ferrari actually triggered a shock on Saturday and victory for them on Sunday could be a shock going by Verstappen’s calm method.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Pit lane chaos continues as one other queue types on the finish of Q2 and Yuki Tsunoda runs over a rear jack.
Pit lane chaos continues as one other queue types on the finish of Q2 and Yuki Tsunoda runs over a rear jack.
When to look at the Mexico Metropolis GP reside solely on Sky Sports activities F1
Sunday
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Mexico Metropolis GP build-up (additionally on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion)
8pm: The MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX (additionally on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion)
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico Metropolis GP
F1 is in Mexico for the center leg of the Americas triple header. Watch the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix reside on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s race at 8pm. Stream F1 on Sky Sports activities with NOW