Carlos Sainz Clinches Pole Position at 2024 Mexican Grand Prix Qualifying

Carlos Sainz set the fastest time in qualifying for the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.

The first part of qualifying for the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix already brought several surprises. Colapinto, Piastri, Pérez, Ocon and Chou dropped out.

Ten seconds before the end of the middle section, Júki Cunoda crashed in the 12th corner. Qualifying was interrupted by red flags. Cunoda, Lawson, Alonso, Stroll and Bottas did not advance to the third stage.

In the third part, Carlos Sainz took first place. Leclerc was second after the first attempts and Russell was third. Norris’ lap didn’t work out too well and Verstappen lost time due to track limits in the second corner.

In the second attempts, Sainz accelerated even more and was the only one under 1:16. Verstappen took second place, Norris was third.

Starting grid

P. Rider Team Note

1 Carlos Sainz Ferrari

2
Max Verstappen
Red Bull

3 Lando Norris McLaren

4
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari

5
George Russell
Mercedes

6
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes

7 Kevin Magnussen Haas

8
Pierre Gasly
Alpine

9 Alexander Albon Williams

10 Nico Hulkenberg Haas

11
Júki Cunoda
RB

12
Liam Lawson
RB

13
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin

14
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin

15
Valtteri Bottas
Kick Sauber

16 Franco Colapinto Williams

17 Oscar Piastri McLaren

18 Sergio Pérez Red Bull

19
Esteban Ocon
Alpine

20 Kuan-yu Chou Kick Sauber

Part Three (Q3)

P. Rider Team Time Loss Wheel Tire.

1 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:15.946 6 soft

2 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:16.171 0.225 6 soft

3 Lando Norris McLaren 1:16.260 0.314 6 soft

4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:16.265 0.319 6 soft

5 George Russell Mercedes 1:16.356 0.410 6 soft

6 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:16.651 0.705 6 soft

7 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:16.886 0.940 6 soft

8 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:16.892 0.946 6 soft

9 Alexander Albon Williams 1:17.065 1.119 6 soft

10 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 1:17.365 1.419 6 soft

00:06:

1. Sai
2. Ver
3. Nor
4. Lec
5. Rus
6. Ham
7. Mag
8. Gas
9. Alb
10. They

00:06: Verstappen second, Norris third.

00:05: Sainz accelerated even further and is under 1:16.

23:59:

1. Sai
2. Lec
3. Rus
4. Ham
5. Nor
6. Gas
7. Alb
8. They
9. Mag

23:58: At the head of Sainz.

23:58: Verstappen’s time deleted.

23:57: Verstappen first – 1:16.368. Norris loses 6 tenths.

23:53: The third part begins.

23:51: The third part starts in two minutes.

Second part (Q2)

P. Rider Team Time Loss Wheel Tire.

1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:16.301 3 soft

2 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:16.514 0.213 6 soft

3 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:16.515 0.214 6 soft

4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:16.641 0.340 6 soft

5 George Russell Mercedes 1:16.937 0.636 5 soft

6 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:16.973 0.672 5 soft

7 Alexander Albon Williams 1:16.988 0.687 6 soft

8 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 1:16.995 0.694 6 soft

9 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:17.003 0.702 6 soft

10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:17.048 0.747 5 soft

11 Júki Tsunoda RB 1:17.129 0.828 5 soft

12 Liam Lawson RB 1:17.162 0.861 5 soft

13 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:17.168 0.867 5 soft

14 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:17.294 0.993 5 soft

15 Valtteri Bottas Kick Sauber 1:17.817 1.516 5 soft

23:41: Cunoda, Lawson, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas will not advance.

23:40: Red flags with 10 seconds to go. Tsunoda demolishes.

23:39: Leclerc moves up to fourth.

23:34:

1. Nor
2. Ver
3. Rus
4. Ham
5. Sai
6. Gas
7. Alb
8. Con
9. Law
10. Alo
11. Mag
12. Str
13. They
14. Bot

23:33: Norris beats Verstappen by 3 tenths.

23:33: Leclerc’s time was deleted due to track limits in the second corner.

23:30: Verstappen is in the lead so far.

23:26: The second part begins.

First part (Q1)

P. Rider Team Time Loss of Bike

1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:16.505 6

2 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:16.778 0.273 9

3 
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
1:16.803
0.298
6

4 
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
1:16.972
0.467
9

5 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:17.125 0.620 6

6 
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
1:17.149
0.644
7

7 
Júki Cunoda
RB
1:17.182
0.677
6

8 Nico Hulkenberg Haas 1:17.186 0.681 6

9 Alexander Albon Williams 1:17.189 0.684 6

10 
George Russell
Mercedes
1:17.194
0.689
8

11 
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
1:17.306
0.801
8

12 
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
1:17.307
0.802
8

13 
Liam Lawson
RB
1:17.380
0.875
6

14 
Valtteri Bottas
Kick Sauber
1:17.393
0.888
9

15 
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
1:17.407
0.902
9
16
Franco Colapinto
Williams
1:17.558
1.053
6
17
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
1:17.597
1.092
8
18
Sergio Perez
Red Bull
1:17.611
1.106
9
19
Esteban Ocon
Alpine
1:17.617
1.112
9
20
Kuan-yu Chou
Kick Clean
1:18.072
1.567
9

11:18 p.m.: Colapinto, Piastri, Pérez, Ocon and Chou are not advancing.

23:18: Piatri and Pérez finish!

23:14:

1. Nor
2. Ver
3. Gas
4. They
5. Alb
6. Rus
7. Con
8. Sai
9. Ham
10. Alo
11. Law
12. Str
13. Col
14. Bot
15. Lec
16. Mag
17. Oco
18. Chow
19. Pia
20. Per

23:04: Mercedes and Ferrari drivers on intermediates.

23:00: qualification begins

22:47: In addition to the fights for the first two rows, we will also be watching the performance of Sergio Pérez. Will he get into the fight for the top ranks? Or at least until Q3?

And how will Liam Lawson compare to Cunoda? And also a Colapinto. Last but not least, we will be curious if Haas will confirm the good form from the last races.

22:46: In Mexico, it is important to qualify highly. Since returning to the calendar, however, a driver has won only three times out of eight times after starting from pole position. Five times it was from second or third place.

22:40: Welcome to the online coverage of the 2024 Mexican GP qualification.

Fast Cars and Fast Times: Qualifying for the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix

Well, well, well! In a qualifying session that was quite the spectacle, Carlos Sainz sashayed his way to the top of the time sheets at the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, leaving Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in his rearview mirror. Someone hand this man a sombrero because he’s bringing the fiesta to Ferrari!

Surprises and Crashes Galore

Let’s not bury the lede here—qualifying had more drama than a soap opera! Just when you thought it couldn’t get any juicier, Colapinto, Piastri, Pérez, Ocon, and our man Chou found themselves in the unceremonious position of ‘not advancing’. Ouch! A bit like being left on read, but with a very expensive car involved.

Then, to top it all off, Jüki Tsunoda decided to turn corner 12 into a crash site. Ten seconds ago he was cruising, and then—BOOM!—red flags! It’s like the traffic light of doom flashing directly at him. And thus, Cunoda, Lawson, Alonso, Stroll, and Bottas didn’t make the cut for Q3. Talk about an unfortunate evening of speed dating… I mean qualifying!

Top Three Times

Position	Driver	Team	Time
1	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	1:15.946
2	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1:16.171
3	Lando Norris	McLaren	1:16.260

In a thrilling final segment, Sainz simply put the pedal to the metal, becoming the sole driver to dip under 1:16. If qualifying were a comedy show, he’d have the whole audience in stitches with those lap times—and isn’t that what we all come to watch? Verstappen seemed to be on a leisurely Sunday drive while nursing the old track limits. Perhaps he thought it was a Sunday park stroll rather than a high-octane race?

The Grid: Who’s Where?

Position	Driver	Team
1	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari
2	Max Verstappen	Red Bull
3	Lando Norris	McLaren
4	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari
5	George Russell	Mercedes
6	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
7	Kevin Magnussen	Haas
8	Pierre Gasly	Alpine
9	Alexander Albon	Williams
10	Nico Hülkenberg	Haas

As for the grid? Well, if you had a betting ticket down on Sainz pulling off this feat, well done, my friend! But as the Mexican proverb goes, “He who wants to see a river exhibition *must* be prepared for a flood”—and floods of excitement await us in the race tomorrow!

Conclusion

The Mexican Grand Prix is shaping up to be a thrilling event, sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. With Sainz’s dazzling performance, can he convert his pole position into a magical victory? Or will Verstappen and Norris come back for a piece of the action? Buckle up, folks—this is going to be one wild ride!

In a thrilling session of qualifying for the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz clocked the fastest lap time, securing pole position for Ferrari, ahead of formidable competitors Max Verstappen from Red Bull Racing and Lando Norris from McLaren.

The first part of qualifying for the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix already brought several surprises, as notable drivers like Franco Colapinto, Oscar Piastri, Sergio Pérez, Esteban Ocon, and Kuan-yu Chou fell short and were eliminated.

Ten seconds before the end of the middle section, a dramatic twist occurred when Júki Tsunoda crashed at the notorious 12th corner, prompting an immediate red flag and a halt to the session. Unfortunately for Tsunoda, along with Liam Lawson, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Valtteri Bottas, they were all eliminated and did not progress to the final Q3 stage.

In the concluding segment, Carlos Sainz showcased his impressive form, firmly establishing himself in the first position. After the initial runs, Charles Leclerc found himself in second, while George Russell secured the third spot. Meanwhile, Lando Norris faced difficulties with his lap, and Max Verstappen’s attempt was hindered due to track limit violations in the second corner.

During the second attempts, Sainz pushed the limits even further and became the only driver to achieve a time under 1:16. Verstappen managed to reclaim second place, while Norris held steady in third.

Starting grid

1 Carlos Sainz Ferrari

2 Max Verstappen Red Bull

3 Lando Norris McLaren

4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari

5 George Russell Mercedes

6 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes

7 Kevin Magnussen Haas

8 Pierre Gasly Alpine

9 Alexander Albon Williams

10 Nico Hülkenberg Haas

11 Júki Tsunoda RB

12 Liam Lawson RB

13 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin

14 Lance Stroll Aston Martin

15 Valtteri Bottas Kick Sauber

16 Franco Colapinto Williams

17 Oscar Piastri McLaren

18 Sergio Pérez Red Bull

19 Esteban Ocon Alpine

20 Kuan-yu Chou Kick Sauber

Part Three (Q3)

1 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:15.946 6 soft

2 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:16.171 0.225 6 soft

3 Lando Norris McLaren 1:16.260 0.314 6 soft

4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:16.265 0.319 6 soft

5 George Russell Mercedes 1:16.356 0.410 6 soft

6 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:16.651 0.705 6 soft

7 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:16.886 0.940 6 soft

8 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:16.892 0.946 6 soft

9 Alexander Albon Williams 1:17.065 1.119 6 soft

10 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 1:17.365 1.419 6 soft

00:06:

1. Sai
2. Ver
3. Nor
4. Lec
5. Rus
6. Ham
7. Mag
8. Gas
9. Alb
10. They

23:58: At the head of Sainz.

23:57: Verstappen first – 1:16.368. Norris loses 6 tenths.

23:53: The third part begins.

23:51: The third part starts in two minutes.

Second part (Q2)

1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:16.301 3 soft

2 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:16.514 0.213 6 soft

3 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:16.515 0.214 6 soft

4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:16.641 0.340 6 soft

5 George Russell Mercedes 1:16.937 0.636 5 soft

6 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:16.973 0.672 5 soft

7 Alexander Albon Williams 1:16.988 0.687 6 soft

8 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 1:16.995 0.694 6 soft

9 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:17.003 0.702 6 soft

10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:17.048 0.747 5 soft

11 Júki Tsunoda RB 1:17.129 0.828 5 soft

12 Liam Lawson RB 1:17.162 0.861 5 soft

13 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:17.168 0.867 5 soft

14 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:17.294 0.993 5 soft

15 Valtteri Bottas Kick Sauber 1:17.817 1.516 5 soft

23:41: Cunoda, Lawson, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas will not advance.

23:40: Red flags with 10 seconds to go. Tsunoda demolishes.

23:39: Leclerc moves up to fourth.

23:34:

1. Nor
2. Ver
3. Rus
4. Ham
5. Sai
6. Gas
7. Alb
8. Con
9. Law
10. Alo
11. Mag
12. Str
13. They
14. Bot
15. Lec
16. Mag

23:26: The second part begins.

First part (Q1)

1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:16.505 6

2 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:16.778 0.273 9

3 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:16.803 0.298 6

4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:16.972 0.467 9

5 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:17.125 0.620 6

6 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:17.149 0.644 7

7 Júki Tsunoda RB 1:17.182 0.677 6

8 Nico Hulkenberg Haas 1:17.186 0.681 6

9 Alexander Albon Williams 1:17.189 0.684 6

10 George Russell Mercedes 1:17.194 0.689 8

11 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:17.306 0.801 8

12 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:17.307 0.802 8

13 Liam Lawson RB 1:17.380 0.875 6

14 Valtteri Bottas Kick Sauber 1:17.393 0.888 9

11:18 p.m.: Colapinto, Piastri, Pérez, Ocon and Chou are not advancing.

23:14:

1. Nor
2. Ver
3. Gas
4. They
5. Alb
6. Rus
7. Con
8. Sai
9. Ham
10. Alo
11. Law
12. Str
13. Col
14. Bot
15. Lec
16. Mag
17. Oco
18. Chow
19. Pia
20. Per

22:46: In Mexico, it is important to qualify highly. Since returning to the calendar, however, a driver has won only three times out of eight times after starting from pole position. Five times it was from second or third place.

22:40: Welcome to the online coverage of the 2024 Mexican GP qualification.

23:00: The qualification session for the 2024 ‌Mexican Grand Prix has officially begun!

22:47: Besides the battle for pole position, all eyes are on Sergio Pérez—will he‍ make it into the top ‍ranks or ​at ‍least Q3? We’re ​also keen on seeing how Liam Lawson stacks up against​ Yuki Tsunoda, alongside Franco Colapinto’s efforts. Lastly, can ​Haas maintain their good performance from recent races?

22:46: Qualifying is crucial at the Mexican GP. Despite starting from pole position, only three drivers ‍have won after⁣ doing so in the‍ past eight⁢ races, with five winners starting from second or third. Strategy ⁤will be key!

22:40: Welcome to the live coverage of the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix⁤ qualifying!

Fast Cars and Fast Times:‍ Qualifying for the 2024⁤ Mexican Grand Prix

What an⁢ exhilarating qualifying session we witnessed at⁤ the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix! Carlos Sainz showcased his prowess, clinching pole position with a staggering ‍lap that left Max Verstappen and Lando Norris trailing⁢ behind. Sainz, you’re stealing the show like a true fiesta-loving Ferrari star!

Surprises ‍and ⁣Crashes Galore

Hold onto your helmets—qualifying was packed with drama! Notable⁣ drivers ⁤such ⁣as ⁤Franco Colapinto, Oscar Piastri, Sergio ⁤Pérez,⁤ Esteban Ocon, and Kuan-yu Chou found themselves knocked out of contention ⁤early, ⁢setting the stage for shock waves. ⁤Just when the tension peaked, Yuki Tsunoda transformed corner 12 into ‌a crash zone, triggering red flags ten seconds ‍before the end of Q2. With Tsunoda’s crash, Lawson, Alonso, Stroll, and Bottas joined ⁣the unfortunate list⁢ of non-qualifiers.⁤ What a chaotic night!

Top ‌Three Times

Position	Driver	Team	Time
1	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	1:15.946
2	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1:16.171
3	Lando Norris	McLaren	1:16.260

Sainz dazzled in the final session, becoming the only driver to ⁤complete a lap under 1:16.⁤ While Sainz was in top form,​ Verstappen seemed to take a leisurely approach, potentially missing the urgency‌ of ‌the moment. Could it‍ be a relaxing cruise rather than a⁤ fierce race showdown for​ him?

The Grid: Who’s Where?

Position	Driver	Team
1	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari
2	Max Verstappen	Red Bull
3	Lando Norris	McLaren
4	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari
5	George​ Russell	Mercedes
6	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
7	Kevin Magnussen	Haas
8	Pierre‌ Gasly	Alpine
9	Alexander Albon	Williams
10	Nico Hülkenberg	Haas

If you predicted Sainz would seize this opportunity, hats off to you!​ As the saying ‌goes, “He who wants to see a river exhibition must be prepared for a flood”—and the excitement‍ is sure⁤ to flow during the race ​ahead!

Conclusion

As the 2024 ‍Mexican Grand Prix approaches, it promises thrills, spills, and the potential for strategic masterstrokes. Can Sainz capitalize on his impressive pole⁢ position for a race victory? Or ⁢will Verstappen⁢ and Norris find a way to steal the show? Get ready for⁤ an electrifying race day!

Ittle longer to find his rhythm, eventually setting a lap just two-tenths shy of Sainz. Norris, too, put on a commendable performance, cementing his position in the top three and showcasing McLaren’s competitive edge this season.

Notable Mentions

As the session progressed, it became clear that strategy played a crucial role for drivers seeking to advance through the segments. In Q1, Norris set the pace early on, with Sainz close behind, demonstrating their dominance. However, the real action unfolded in Q2 when Yuki Tsunoda’s crash altered the dynamics and eliminated several key drivers from further contention.

The Elimination Zone

Drivers including Franco Colapinto, Oscar Piastri, Sergio Pérez, and Esteban Ocon faced disappointment, missing the chance to fight for a top spot. Their struggles underscore the importance of every second during qualifying, especially on a challenging circuit like the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Tactical Implications for the Race

With Sainz on pole, the pressure will be on him to maintain his lead heading into the race. The strategies employed during the race will undoubtedly cater to tire choice and pit stop timing, especially given the potential for accidents and incidents on the track, as demonstrated by Tsunoda’s late crash.

Conclusion

The qualifying session for the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix was electrifying, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting race. With Sainz, Verstappen, and Norris at the forefront, fans can look forward to an action-packed battle on race day! As always, stay tuned for more thrilling updates and insights throughout the Grand Prix weekend!