F1 Qualifying Mexican GP 2024 – Carlos Sainz delivered a stellar performance in the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix qualifying, securing pole position in style and dominating each session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. From Q1 to Q3, the Spanish Ferrari driver made it clear he was the man to beat. Here’s how it all went down in an action-packed qualifying that saw thrills, spills, and surprises.
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Q1: Early Exits and Local Disappointment
The Mexican GP qualifying got off to an intense start with the crowd hopeful for a strong showing from local hero Sergio Perez. But disappointment struck as Perez was eliminated in Q1, unable to get his Red Bull up to speed. He struggled with braking in the low-speed corners and could only manage 15th on his final lap. “It’s tough,” Perez said, expressing his frustration after being outpaced on home soil. Fans’ hopes were dashed as Charles Leclerc jumped out of the drop zone and edged out Perez.
Another surprise casualty in Q1 was Oscar Piastri, who couldn’t match his Free Practice 3 form. The Aussie driver had his sights set on a good qualifying but lost a lap to track limits. “Had I not gone beyond the Turn 12 kerb and lost a second, I’d have been through,” Piastri lamented after the session. He ultimately failed to progress, marking a tough start for his weekend.
Esteban Ocon and Zhou Guanyu joined the duo in the Q1 eliminations. Ocon tried to make a last-minute surge to escape elimination but stumbled in the final sector, rounding out an intense start to qualifying.
Q2: Red Flag Drama as Tsunoda Hits the Wall
Q2 brought fresh drama, especially with Yuki Tsunoda’s unfortunate crash. Tsunoda was on a flying lap when he pushed too hard, losing control of his AlphaTauri and slamming into the wall near Turn 12. This brought out the red flags, disrupting the flow and leaving several drivers with no chance to finish their laps.
Among those affected was Fernando Alonso, who was just starting his final flying lap. “We were on the edge, and then the red flag came out,” Alonso said after, clearly disappointed. His Aston Martin teammate, Lance Stroll, and Valtteri Bottas were also casualties of the incident, each unable to break into Q3 after the session’s sudden stop.
Liam Lawson, Tsunoda’s teammate, looked poised for a strong Q2 but was denied a chance to challenge Gasly’s tenth-fastest time by the red flag. Both AlphaTauri drivers were therefore left out of the final shootout.
Q3: Sainz Takes Control, Verstappen Fights Back
With only ten drivers remaining, Q3 became a showcase for speed and precision. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz set the pace early with an impressive 1m16.055s, a lap that was already enough for pole. Not satisfied, he returned for a final run, shaving time off to clock in at 1m15.946s, which firmly cemented him at the top of the leaderboard.
Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, gave his all in the last attempt. After having his first Q3 lap deleted for track limits, Verstappen pulled out a solid 1m16.171s on his final lap. He managed to save a spot on the front row, giving him a strong start position for the race but still falling short of Sainz’s flying Ferrari.
Lando Norris, in the McLaren, didn’t impress at first in Q3, sitting in fifth after his initial run. But he bounced back with a quick final lap, securing third on the grid. Norris will start alongside Charles Leclerc, who showcased his skill by managing to save a snap through the high-speed corners, taking fourth position. “We managed to keep it clean,” Leclerc commented, happy with his position yet eager to challenge on race day.
Other Standout Performances – F1 Qualifying Mexican GP 2024
Mercedes had a solid showing in Q3, with George Russell outqualifying his teammate Lewis Hamilton. Russell found pace in his final lap, placing his car in a respectable fifth, with Hamilton just behind in sixth. Kevin Magnussen was another standout performer, surprising many by putting his Haas in seventh, ahead of Pierre Gasly’s Alpine in eighth.
Rounding out the top ten, Alex Albon secured ninth, while Nico Hulkenberg finished tenth despite a small mistake at Turn 12 that cost him any chance of moving further up the grid.
The 2024 Mexican GP qualifying left fans buzzing with excitement and set up an intriguing battle for the race. With Sainz in prime position and Verstappen just behind, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown in Mexico City.
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F1 Qualifying Mexican GP 2024