2024 F1 Mexican GP: Race Predictions
The grid for the 2024 F1 Mexican GP is set, and we have Carlos Sainz on pole position with Max Verstappen alongside him. The Spaniard was in a different league from the competition around him, and it showed in the manner in which both his laps in qualifying were good enough for pole.
The second row would feature Lando Norris in P3 in his McLaren with Charles Leclerc in P4 after a disappointing session. The Mercedes duo secured the third row with George Russell in P5 and Lewis Hamilton in P6.
The more intriguing thing about the F1 Mexican GP is that the start of the race is often one of the biggest highlights. It does tend to settle down a bit after that. That said, we're going into the race with next to no long-run experience for any car on the grid as the FP2 was exhausted by the Pirelli tire test.
What can we then expect from the F1 Mexican GP as wildcards like Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri also try to make their way through the field? Let's take a look.
#5 Haas, Williams, and Alpine drivers fight for the final points position
After the top 6 positions that go to the drivers from the top 4 teams, the battle of the midfield is going to be intense as well. There are both Haas drivers in contention and then there's the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Alex Albon. The battle for the final points paying is going to come down to these drivers and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
Haas tends to have a better race car these days and with Magnussen and Hulkenberg in the top 10, it could make the team a more potent challenger during the F1 Mexican GP.
#4 Neither Oscar Piastri nor Sergio Perez finish in top 6
Both Oscar Piastri and Sergio Perez are starting the race outside of the top 15 after poor qualifying sessions. The problem with doing so on a track like the one for the F1 Mexican GP is that you just don't have as many avenues to make your way through the field.
It's going to be tough to see either of the two be challengers to a position higher than a P7, especially on a track where a safety car can be a rarity.
#3 The start is going to be very important
It's safe to say that the start of the race will be very important for all drivers. It's going to be important for Max Verstappen, who has somewhat conceded that the win might not be on the table. It's going to be important for Charles Leclerc, who is starting the race in P4 and would be desperate to gain places at the start.
It would be important for Carlos Sainz, who knows pole position has not been the best position to start the F1 Mexican GP, and finally, it is very important for Lando Norris, who would be hoping that he can turn a P3 start into a bid to lead the race going into turn 1.
The most important part of the race weekend will be the start for sure and with so much at stake, everyone needs to make sure that they don't miss it.
#2 Max Verstappen vs Lando Norris battle might be the highlight of the race
By the looks of it, Max Verstappen more or less conceded that Lando Norris might have the edge in the long runs on Sunday. The Red Bull driver has however made it clear that his motive going into these races is finishing ahead of Norris and if that's the mindset with which he enters the F1 Mexican GP, then that could lead to another Verstappen vs Norris battle during the race. It would be interesting to see if we do end up seeing something similar to Austin once again.
#1 Carlos Sainz wins the F1 Mexican GP
Carlos Sainz starts the F1 Mexican GP in pole position. The Spaniard has been on a roll this weekend, but one thing that stands out more than anything else is the fact that he has the edge over his teammate Charles Leclerc.
This was evident over a lap, and with Leclerc starting the race in P4, it should ideally mean that the Spaniard would potentially be ahead at the start of the race.
The F1 Mexican GP has had all the signs of it being a Carlos Sainz special, and we might be looking at the Spaniard picking up his second win of the season.