Mexican Grand Prix starting grid with penalties a...

F1 2024 Mexican Grand Prix starting grid with penalties a…read more

The grid is set for the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz starting on pole after a spectacular qualifying performance on Saturday. Sainz clocked a time of 1:15.946 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, narrowly edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished two and three-tenths of a second behind, respectively. This achievement underscores Ferrari’s strong recent form, following their impressive one-two finish in last weekend’s United States Grand Prix.

Starting alongside Sainz is Verstappen, who will be determined to reclaim his lead early in the race. Verstappen’s Red Bull team, although highly competitive, had a mixed result on Saturday with hometown favorite Sergio Perez experiencing a surprising exit in Q1. This puts the Mexican driver at a distinct disadvantage for Sunday’s race, starting back in 18th position. Verstappen’s teammate, however, will be positioned to challenge Ferrari from the outset, as he seeks to turn qualifying momentum into race day dominance.

Norris, who secured third place in qualifying, continues McLaren’s recent upward trajectory. The British driver will be eager to convert this strong starting position into podium success, though McLaren too faced unexpected challenges in qualifying when Oscar Piastri, their rookie sensation, was knocked out in the first session. Piastri’s setback will see him start from the 17th spot on the grid, a difficult position from which to make a significant impact.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc lines up in fourth, just a few hundredths of a second off Norris, and will be aiming to climb the ranks to join his teammate near the front of the pack. Leclerc’s goal will be to capitalize on Ferrari’s recent gains and support the team’s ambitions in the constructors’ championship, where every point matters in their rivalry with Mercedes and Red Bull.

Mercedes also put on a solid showing, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton securing fifth and sixth on the grid. Russell’s performance, only four-tenths off pole, places him in a prime spot to contend for a podium finish, while Hamilton, trailing a bit further back, will start sixth. Both drivers are poised to capitalize on their positions and potentially disrupt the top teams’ plans.

The middle of the grid includes Kevin Magnussen for Haas in seventh, marking a rare high spot for the American outfit, followed closely by Pierre Gasly of Alpine and Alex Albon of Williams in eighth and ninth, respectively. Albon’s performance highlights Williams’ continued strides forward this season. Rounding out the top ten is Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg, who will be looking to defend his position against the midfield contenders.

Further down, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, driving for VCARB, will start in 11th and 12th, followed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in 13th and 14th. Valtteri Bottas of Sauber takes 15th, while his teammate Zhou Guanyu rounds out the grid in 20th after a tough qualifying session.

The race starts at 2 p.m. local time in Mexico City, with fans worldwide eagerly tuning in. This exciting mix of top teams and grid penalties promises an intense battle as drivers maneuver to overcome both rivals and starting positions at the high-altitude track. With plenty of drama expected from the very start, the Mexican Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling spectacle in the 2024 F1 season.