Leclerc takes pole for Mexico GP
Charles Leclerc saw off team-mate Carlos Sainz by just 0.067 seconds as Ferrari locked out the front row for Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen improved on his final run at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez but could not usurp the Ferrari drivers, finishing 0.097 sec adrift.
The triple world champion also faces a nervous wait to see if he is moved down the grid after being summoned to see the stewards.
Verstappen, charged with impeding on the pit exit, was among four drivers who was hauled in front of the race officials, but only Logan Sargeant received a penalty.
Follow updates from the Mexican Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX – RACE UPDATES
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Max Verstappen up to third (Lap 27/71)
Verstappen smoothly past Ricciardo and back up to third.
Still no signs of a pit stop from either Ferrari. Verstappen now only 2.4 secs behind Sainz…
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:42
Lewis Hamilton pits (Lap 25/71)
Mercedes go for the undercut on Carlos Sainz then, with Lewis Hamilton pitting.
A 2.5 sec pit stop – and a big out lap for the Brit! He slots into seventh.
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:39
Max Verstappen takes fifth place (Lap 23/71)
Easy does it for Max Verstappen with fresher tyres heading into turn one, cruising past George Russell.
And a lap later he does the same move on Oscar Piastri. He’s up to P5.
No more signs of pit stops from the frontrunners, interesting.
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:35
Max Verstappen pits (Lap 20/71)
Max Verstappen is the first to dive into the pits!
Onto hards – a 2.4 sec stop – and he comes out in clean air in seventh, behind George Russell.
Will that take him to the end of the race? We’ll wait and see…
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:32
Charles Leclerc to be investigated after the race (Lap 19/71)
Leclerc will be investigated for driving in an unsafe condition after that collision with Perez and a loose end-plate.
As for Verstappen, 4.2 secs ahead: “These tyres are coming off mate.”
Pit stops incoming? Maybe a few more laps to go…
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:30
Fernando Alonso fined €100 for speeding in the pit lane
I don’t think Fernando Alonso will be too bothered about that!
He’s fined €100 for speeding in the pit lane during the laps to the grid. More significantly for him, he’s swapped positions with Lance Stroll down in 15th and 16th – looks like it’s going to be a bit of a fruitless weekend for Aston Martin.
Where has their early season pace gone?
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:25
Lando Norris pits (Lap 13/71)
Lando Norris comes in early doors, ditches his softs for hards, and comes out in 18th – ahead of Yuki Tsunoda (who has just set the fastest lap, oddly!)
1-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Piastri, Russell, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Zhou
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:23
Lewis Hamilton squeezes past Daniel Ricciardo (Lap 12/71)
Valiant few laps of defence from Daniel Ricciardo but, finally, Lewis Hamilton squeezes through down the inside into turn one – he’s up to fourth!
At the front, it’s all looking pretty set for Max Verstappen already – he’s 3.2 secs out in front of Charles Leclerc and has just set the fastest lap.
Further back, Lando Norris is up to 14th – but perhaps isn’t making up the ground wanted in the first 12 laps of this race.
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:20
Lewis Hamilton right on the tail of Daniel Ricciardo (Lap 7/71)
The Mercedes very close to the AlphaTauri in fourth… when will he make a move?! Hamilton can’t quite make it stick heading into turn one.
Verstappen’s lead to Leclerc is 1.9 seconds.
1-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Ricciardo, Hamilton, Piastri, Russell, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Zhou
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:15
Virtual safety car!
The front-wing end-plate of Charles Leclerc, caused by that contact with Sergio Perez, is in a precarious position on track so a virtual safety car is deployed.
Incidentally, Sergio Perez is still in his cockpit just to see if Red Bull can repair his sidepod – but he’s already five laps down! His race is run… and he’s close to tears…
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson29 October 2023 20:11
