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

Charles Leclerc leads teammate Carlos Sainz as Ferrari takes a surprising 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 teammate Carlos Sainz in a surprise Ferrari front row lockout after a chaotic qualifying session for the Mexico City Grand Prix.

World champion Max Verstappen looked set to take pole for Red Bull after impressing in Q1 and Q2, but the Dutchman could only finish third after the Ferraris came out of nowhere to the top of the time table.

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

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

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

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

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

Oscar Piastri finished 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 is under investigation along with Verstappen for blocking the pit lane exit in Q1, took eighth place, ahead of the Alfa Romeo duo Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

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The chaos in the pit lane continues as another queue forms at the end of Q2 and Yuki Tsunoda drives 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, Alpha Tauri
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 can you only watch the Mexico City GP live on Sky Sports F1?

Sunday
6:30 PM: Grand Prix Sunday Mexico City GP build-up (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
8 p.m.: The GRAND PRIZE OF MEXICO CITY (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
10 p.m.: Checkered flag: Mexico City GP

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