Mexico City GP Qualifying: Charles Leclerc takes pole as Ferrari seal shock one-two in chaotic session

Charles Leclerc leads team-mate Carlos Sainz as Ferrari take surprise one-two; world champion Max Verstappen third but faces post-session investigation for blocking pit lane exit; watch Sunday’s race live on Sky Sports F1 at 8pm, with build-up from 6:30pm

Charles Leclerc led team-mate Carlos Sainz in a surprise Ferrari front-row lockout after a chaotic Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying session.

World champion Max Verstappen appeared primed to take pole for Red Bull after impressing in Q1 and Q2, but the Dutchman could only manage third after the Ferraris came from nowhere to surge to the top of the timesheet.

Leclerc delivered a 1:17.166 on his first run in Q3 to go 0.067 clear on Sainz, and, despite neither Ferrari being able to go quicker on their second run, Verstappen’s improvement on his final flying lap was not enough to gatecrash the front row.

Verstappen faces a nervous wait before his third place on the grid is confirmed, with the stewards investigating him for blocking the pit lane exit during a chaotic finale to Q1.

AlphaTauri’s Daniel Ricciardo produced the best moment so far of his return to Formula 1, making a statement by beating Red Bull’s Sergio Perez to fourth at the Mexican’s home race.

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There was chaos at the end of Q1 as a Fernando Alonso spin caused a yellow flag, while Lando Norris was knocked out and will start on the back row

Lewis Hamilton took sixth but is also under investigation, for not slowing down under yellow flags at the end of Q1, and will also meet the stewards after the session.

Oscar Piastri took seventh for McLaren, but the team will be left hugely disappointed after poor execution led to a shock Q1 exit for Lando Norris.

George Russell, who along with Verstappen is under investigation for blocking the pit-lane exit in Q1, took eighth ahead of Alfa Romeo duo Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

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Pit-lane chaos continues as another queue forms at the end of Q2 and Yuki Tsunoda runs over a rear jack

Mexico City GP Qualifying result
1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
3) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
4) Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri
5) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
6) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
7) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
8) George Russell, Mercedes
9) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo
10) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo

More to follow…

When to watch the Mexico City GP live only on Sky Sports F1

Sunday
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Mexico City GP build-up (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
8pm: The MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico City GP

F1 is in Mexico for the middle leg of the Americas triple header. Watch the whole Mexico City Grand Prix weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s race at 8pm. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW