The F1 season continues in Mexico City this weekend, after a highly controversial battle in Austin between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, who have won five of the last six races here.
Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez hosts the Mexican Grand Prix at round 20 of the 2024 season with plenty up for grabs in the final five races.
Charles Leclerc produced a sensational drive to claim victory at the US Grand Prix with Ferrari making it an impressive one-two thanks to Carlos Sainz.
The Scuderia fought a fierce battle with McLaren and Red Bull for the constructors’ championship, with qualifying crucial here. Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will chase away the final nightmare weekend in Texas.
Follow live updates from the Mexican Grand Prix with The Independent
Mexican Grand Prix 2024 – Qualification update
The FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, is reportedly ready to set guidelines on wheel-to-wheel battles following the turmoil surrounding Max Verstappen and Lando Norris last weekend.
The BBC reports that the FIA will change the wording in a way that removes any ambiguity about the specific incident in Austin.
The next step is to give it to the drivers in the hope of getting an agreement this season.
Jack RathbornOctober 26, 2024 9:33 p.m
Mexican Grand Prix 2024 – Qualification update
“I will believe until it is mathematically impossible, we can also overtake McLaren and Red Bull,” said Charles Leclerc, who could still win the driver’s championship, although it is unlikely.
“I mean, I never said anything. (But) even if we do everything perfectly, I think we need a little bit of luck to try and get that (driver) title, and we can’t rely on luck.
“So, a driver (championship) seems impossible. But then again, I’ll believe it until it’s mathematically impossible.
Leclerc is 22 points behind Norris, who leads Verstappen on 57 points. The Monegasque must win all five remaining grands prix, plus the sprint races, with Verstappen finishing an average of fifth or worse in each race and setting no more than three fastest laps.
Jack Rathborn26 October 2024 21:22
Mexican Grand Prix 2024 – Qualification update
The animosity and tension from last weekend’s US Grand Prix…
Debate will rage over whether Lando Norris deserves a penalty as Max Verstappen furiously defends his place on the podium.
Sky Sports has reported a lively drivers’ meeting in Mexico City overnight, with live exchanges between the two title contenders.
His nature is “calm” and “respectful,” according to the announcer.
Jack Rathborn26 October 2024 21:14
Mexican Grand Prix 2024 – Qualification update
Only an hour until qualifying starts… Can Red Bull and Ferrari find something or will the McLarens have too much one-lap speed to block the front of the grid?
Verstappen desperate for grip in FP3, will Red Bull find something new in qualifying?
if Lando can beat his teammates, there might be a break in the grid before the lights go out tomorrow.
Jack Rathborn26 October 2024 21:05
Ferrari mechanic crashes in final practice at Mexican Grand Prix
Ferrari mechanic Alessandro Fusaro suffered a terrifying crash during practice as Charles Leclerc prepared to leave the Scuderia garage.
But he styled it well, take a bow, Alessandro!
Jack Rathborn26 October 2024 20:55
Oscar Piastri wipes Carlos Sainz during practice
During the third practice session, Piastri had a few words for Carlos Sainz and was heard saying on the radio: “Typical Carlos.”
It was not taken too seriously, although Sainz managed to go faster at turn 10. This caused Piastri to leave the lap during the session.
Jack RathbornOctober 26, 2024 8:45 p.m
Mexican Grand Prix 2024 – FP3 standings
- Oscar Piastri McLaren 1: 16.492
- Lando Norris McLaren +0.059
- Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.340
- Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.511
- Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.568
- Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.740
- Yuki Tsunoda RB +0.810
- George Russell Mercedes +0.849
- Kevin Magnussen Haas F1 Team +0.982
- Liam Lawson RB +1,002
Jack RathbornOctober 26, 2024 8:35 p.m
David Coulthard rips McLaren for ‘reason’ and ‘naive’ Verstappen v Norris strategy
“My position is that whoever is ahead of what I see as the apex, has the right to control the corner,” said David Coulthard on the Formula For Success podcast.
“And if I put Michael (Schumacher) outside, right, what do I think will happen? If I’m a little behind and I’m outside, he will push me off the track. Of course he will. This is exactly what Max will do. The fact that Max then ran slightly beyond the white line, in fact, the point when you reach the apex, which is decisive. In the case of George, who was given a penalty, he was behind when he passed the apex, and then he took a wider line, which forced the other cars wide. So he was given punishment.
“So for me, it’s clear, and I think McLaren was wrong not to say to Lando, ‘Give him that place, pass him somewhere else’, because he has the speed to do it. And then complain, ‘Oh, there’s a rule for one , there are rules for the rest’, join the long line of people who complain and make excuses. You score a winner with a checkered flag, assuming there is no penalty.
“So, I think this is an aggressive and strategic understanding of the rules by Max, and this is a rather naive position from McLaren. And Lando, in the lap I believe, and I can’t say word for word, kind of asked: ‘Why do we not give the place back?’ He was in the car now, but he, at the moment, believed in what the team said, and believed in the fact that they would go, so they should be able to stay in position. But of course, he did not know the relative position of the cars when they passed the summit .
Jack Rathborn26 October 2024 20:25
Lewis Hamilton reacts to LMVH’s reported $1 billion deal to F1
“All I hope is, there is probably not, but I hope that there is an element of impact to the deal,” Lewis Hamilton said in the mega deal.
“Because two big organizations make money in one year. It’s not about how much more money we can make, but about what impact can we make with this partnership?
“I’m sure no one is like that. Maybe I’ll be surprised, but I hope it’s in the conversation.
Jack RathbornOctober 26, 2024 8:15 p.m
Franco Colapinto to VCARB next season?
Franco Colapinto remains calm on his F1 future despite speculation he could join VCARB next season.
If Colapinto joins the Red Bull junior team along with Yuki Tsunoda, then Liam Lawson will link up with Red Bull next to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez could experience the cold.
“We saw it with Colapinto,” the Argentine teenager told Motorsport-Total. “As someone who is inexperienced and not very successful in the junior series, although it must be said that he has never had a top team, but his performance today is outstanding.
“I think we have a long-term contract with Williams. He will definitely be the man of the future. What he has shown is very good.
Jack Rathborn26 October 2024 20:05