**F1 Mexico Qualifying: As It Happened**

ZAGO 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

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Post on Oct 27, 2024

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F1 Mexico Qualifying: As It Happened - Verstappen Dominates in a Thrilling Session

The Mexican Grand Prix is always a fan favorite, and qualifying for the 2023 race delivered a spectacle worthy of the passionate crowd at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Max Verstappen continued his dominant form, securing pole position for the race with a blistering lap. However, the fight for the other top spots was fierce, delivering some unexpected surprises and leaving fans on the edge of their seats.

Q1: Early Drama and a Surprise Elimination

The first qualifying session saw the usual suspects making it through, but a few notable names found themselves in danger. Fernando Alonso, after a strong practice, narrowly avoided elimination, finishing 15th. Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen also found themselves on the cusp, ultimately securing their places in Q2.

The biggest surprise came with the elimination of Esteban Ocon. The Alpine driver, who had been looking strong in practice, failed to find the necessary pace and will start from 16th on the grid.

Q2: The Battle for the Top 10 Heats Up

The second qualifying session saw the tension rise as the fight for a place in the final shootout intensified. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were immediately in the mix, showing the pace of the Mercedes, which had been struggling earlier in the weekend.

However, the focus remained on the top of the timesheets as Max Verstappen continued his dominant form, setting a blistering lap to secure his place in Q3. Behind him, Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc battled it out, the Mexican driver eventually taking second ahead of the Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz Jr. also impressed, securing a spot in the top 10, while Lando Norris and Alex Albon found themselves on the cusp of elimination but managed to secure their spots.

Q3: Verstappen on Another Level

The final qualifying session was a tense affair, with several drivers pushing to the limit in the pursuit of a top spot. However, Max Verstappen was simply on another level, setting a record-breaking lap time of 1:17.775 to claim pole position for the Mexican Grand Prix.

The battle for second was intense, with Sergio Perez eventually managing to secure the spot ahead of Charles Leclerc. Lewis Hamilton delivered a strong performance to secure fourth, while George Russell finished fifth.

The result sees Verstappen on track for a dominant victory, but the battle for the remaining podium spots promises to be a thrilling one. The race itself will be a captivating affair, with the passionate Mexican crowd eager to see their hero, Sergio Perez, challenge Verstappen for the top spot.

Key Takeaways:

• Max Verstappen continues his dominant form, claiming pole position with a record-breaking lap.
• Sergio Perez puts pressure on his teammate, securing second place on the grid in front of the home crowd.
• Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton showcase the potential of their respective teams, setting up an exciting race day showdown.
• The fight for the top 10 is intense, with several drivers looking to capitalize on unexpected opportunities.

The Mexican Grand Prix promises to be an unforgettable spectacle, with the qualifying session setting the stage for a thrilling and unpredictable race. Fans can expect high drama, fierce competition, and perhaps a few surprises as the drivers battle it out for victory on the demanding Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez track.